concert film review
HΘMΣCΘMING: A Film by Beyoncé
Starring: Beyoncé, Destiny's Child, Jay-Z, Kelly Rowland, Les Twins, Michelle Williams, and Solange
Written and directed by: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter,
Beyoncé made Coachella history last year when
she became the first female African American artist to headline the popular
music festival. Now the singer has marked the anniversary of her performance by
looking back at her triumphant show in Homecoming,
a concert film that captures the spectacle onstage as well as sheds light on
how it shaped up offstage.
Released on Netflix last week – right when Coachella
was rolling in for its annual visit – the film basically shows just how Beyoncé
transformed Coachella into Beychella.
The piece features her nearly two hour long
set, seamlessly splicing together her performances from the first and second
weekends, each distinguished by the differing colour schemes of the costumes.
Homecoming showcases the splendour of what clearly isn’t a mere concert but a
whole euphoric production. Accompanied by nearly 200 dancers, singers, and
performers, Beyoncé sings and dances her way through some of her biggest hits
while celebrating her rich heritage. Deemed her homecoming performance, the
show also pays homage to historically black colleges and universities and
brings the ethos of her culture to the world stage. She is joined, on occasion,
by some of the people closest to her, including her husband Jay-Z who lends his
vocals to ‘Déjà Vu’; sister Solange who teams up with Queen Bey for a joyous dance
segment; and her best friends Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams who stop by
for a three-song Destiny’s Child reunion.
The musical festivities are paused a few
times to reveal all the hard work that went into the preparations for the
event. Through behind the scenes footage and accompanying voice overs, viewers
get a glimpse at the months of dance, band, and vocal rehearsals that led to
the immaculate production. We see that Beyoncé was in charge of all the various
aspects and elements of her set, and was very particular about her vision for
the performance.
The singer also reveals how hard she pushed
her body to get ready for Coachella following a difficult pregnancy and the
birth of her twins. Her candid discussions highlight the pressure that women face
while managing multiple identities as they work to maintain their careers while
raising families. Any mothers who have struggled with the expectation to lose
weight after having children or have had to return to physically taxing jobs
after giving birth will relate to Beyoncé’s situation and respect her strength
and fortitude.
The focus, though, primarily remains on her
stunning performance which is something that ardent fans will have already
experienced – and re-experienced – over the last year. The backstage footage
and commentary isn’t very in depth. As a documentary, this piece is quite measured.
You might wish, at some points, that you could have learned more about the
artist and how she created and moulded her show into perfection. But there is enough
material here to both highlight the singer’s work ethic and keep the Beyhive
happy.
The first of three projects that Beyoncé is
planning to release with Netflix – part of a whopping $60 million deal, as per
rumours – Homecoming gives us the
chance to relive Beychella while impressing us with the singer’s hard work and charming
us with candid footage of her family. The film will make you marvel at Beyoncé’s
vocal skills and physical stamina – just watching her fierce performance will
leave you exhausted while empowering you with inspiration to strive to achieve
your dreams. Her plethora of fans will certainly cherish the experience.
- Sameen Amer
The Express Tribune Blogs - 23rd April, 2019 *
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