Urban Music Enthusiast

Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce’

The cinematic debut of Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce, was on 12/1/23, but the star-studded premiere, was the weekend prior in LA on 11/28/23. The premiere comes just days after the release of the second full-length movie trailer on Thanksgiving day. Celebrity guests reported that the dress code was ‘cozy opulence.’ The Red Carpet, or CHROME Carpet as it is more appropriately referenced, was graced by Tyler Perry, Ava DuVernay, Lena Waithe, Issa Rae, Chloe, Halle and DDG, Lizzo, Coco Jones, and many more.  Another premiere highlight was the attendance of all the original members of Destiny’s Child, including Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Roberson. Although a group picture of the original members was not captured, the evidence that they were all present in support of the film, was nostalgic and endearing for many who have been fans of Beyonce since the first single of the legendary group was released. 

Renaissance is the 14th project in Beyonce’s extensive Filmography catalog (not including animated films Epic and The Lion King), which began nearly 20 years ago with the release of Carmen: A Hip Hopera in 2001. Since then, she starred in Austin Powers: Goldmember in 2002, Fighting Temptations in 2003, The Pink Panther in 2006, Dreamgirls in 2006, Cadillac Records in 2008, Obsessed in 2009, Life is But a Dream in 2013, Lemonade in 2016. The most recent release was Beyonce’s Homecoming in 2019, which is still available on Netflix.  Also, during the release of the 13 films, Beyonce successfully executed 6 solo worldwide concert tours, and 2 co-headlining concert tours with her husband (OTR 1 and 2). The list of solo tours includes Dangerously in Love in 2003, The Beyonce Experience in 2007, I Am…Tour in 2009/10, The Mrs. Carter World Show Tour 2013/14, The Formation World Tour in 2016, and most recently The Renaissance World Tour in 2023. The Renaissance World Tour, upon completion, sold $579 Million in ticket sales and is the highest-grossing tour of any Black artist in history. This achievement further emphasizes the most memorable quote from her 2nd Renaissance film trailer, ‘I have nothing to prove to anyone at this point. We are creating our own world. This is my reward. Nobody can take that away from me.’

Before delving into the film highlights and takeaways, attention must be paid to the impact of the Renaissance album and tour. The Renaissance album, in particular, has become a conversation piece in the global community, allowing her marginalized fanbase to feel unapologetically seen and celebrated. As a result, the Renaissance Tour promoted radical acceptance of all minorities and oppressed people, who were all in attendance rain or shine, decorated in sequins, cowboy hats, glitter, and a vast range of disco couture and silver aesthetics. This attendance, regardless of inclement weather, is largely due to the connection Beyonce has maintained over decades with her aggressively growing cult-adjacent fan base (#SWARM). Cult artist following are based on connection, in AND out of the studio, which requires the artist to be consistently producing music AND performing, with every project- to sustain(and grow) the connection. This is seen in previous generations with the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Prince. Beyonce’ is our generational artist equivalent, with comparable impact and an aggressively growing influence. 

The Renaissance Tour was not a concert. It was a secular Baptism of liberated people posing as fans, breaking free of expectations while dancing their souls out to one of the most impactful albums of our generation. And fortunately, this energy was captured exceptionally in the film. The film was as dynamic cinematically as the tour was dynamic visually.

Analogous in concept to the Homecoming movie, Renaissance is a film that details the conceptualization, preparation, and execution of the entire Renaissance world tour. The film includes behind-the-scenes footage, tension and skepticism from stage hands, and intermittent intimate commentary from Beyoncé.   Watching the film allowed fans who attended the tour to reminisce on the awe and amazement felt in various moments and recapture moments they missed. It also allowed fans who were unable to attend, to see it second-hand, for the first time. 

The film also allowed fans to catch a glimpse into the artist’s life on tour. This access also helps her fanbase understand the complexity of the personal and professional capacities she exists in, and the many ways that they intersect. Beyoncé the Daughter, Beyoncé the Wife, Beyoncé the Mother, Beyoncé the Singer, Beyoncé the Performer, and Beyoncé the Creative Director, -all require refined skills, some of which are transferable between roles and some which are not. Mastering all the skills these various realms require, while continuously improving as an artist and performer is much more than mastery at that stage in her career, but more so Magic. The scenes in the movie where she switches into Mom mode immediately after her performance were beautiful and necessary. This footage affectionately humanizes and reaffirms why she’s worthy of the immense respect earned over the last two decades.

Unbeknownst to fans, the film also revealed that Beyonce endured knee surgery 1 month before rehearsals began. This realization further validates the dedication Beyonce has to her performance craft and unwavering commitment to her fan base, by pushing through a worldwide tour in a painful post-operative state when full recovery and rehabilitation were recommended. The mental stamina required to endure physical discomfort, night after night, on a worldwide tour, most artists don’t possess. 

Finally, I am very grateful to her for highlighting the importance of Ballroom culture and its historical relevance to music and dance in the film. This is a segment of our culture, often imitated and never paid homage, due to the stigma of the LGBTQIA people and culture within the African-American community. Even so, Ballroom fashion, music, and vernacular have been the source of inspiration for decades and are only recently receiving well-deserved acknowledgment.  

I left the film feeling invigorated in my spirit, which is fitting because the textbook definition of Renaissance is ‘revival or renewed interest in something.’  Not simply, from the stance of a long-time supporter, but as a Black Woman in America watching another claim, reclaim, and reclaim again her rightful place in this industry despite reoccurring adversary forces. All the while, continuing to evolve into the Wife and Mom of 3, she always aspired to be. Beyoncé’s continued and unproblematic development as an artist is something we are privileged to witness. In this generation, we are lacking role models in urban music, that we can support without hesitation and pay inconceivably inflated ticket prices, assured that in 3 months or 3 years, the money spent will still be reflected on as well spent. 

Watching her excel in every aspect of her existence, is an inspiration to women, minorities, artists, working-class people in underrepresented industries, mothers, and wives, all over the world.

We will never be able to say that Beyoncé didn’t take her artistry and its cultural impact seriously. We will also never be able to say that she didn’t use all the natural and developed gifts, to the fullest extent, on and off stage. 

If you’re still unsure whether to see this movie, let this article be your motivation to buy a ticket and experience the magic of the movie for yourself. 

Easy Listening, The Urban Music Enthusiast