Livestream
Screen Talk: David Byrne
Organised by British Film Institute (BFI)
Screen Talk: David Byrne
Tune in to the livestream on the BFI Youtube Channel on 15th October at 8:30pm
David Byrne joins us to discuss Director Spike Lee's film adaptation of his wildly popular Broadway show American Utopia.
David Byrne is the very definition of a polymath. A musician, artist, producer, activist, performer, writer, avid cycling enthusiast, web innovator, filmmaker and passionate campaigner for democracy and human rights. Born in Scotland, raised in Canada and American by nationality, it’s fair to say that many countries would be keen to call him a native son. And then there’s his style, which exists in a state of constant evolution. There are no parameters to his musicality or his interest in fashion. And from his wry humour to the warmth of his rapport with audiences – and not forgetting those booty-shaking dance moves – he is the consummate performer. And the perfect collaborator. He brings so much of himself to each partnership, but also embraces the inspiration that comes from work with such a wide array of creatives, from Jonathan Demme, St Vincent, Brian Eno and Caetano Veloso to Twyla Tharp, Fatboy Slim, Bernardo Bertolucci and now Spike Lee. The acclaimed New York filmmaker was enlisted to direct the fabulous and inspired concert film of Byrne’s American Utopia stage show, which was itself a marvel of collaboration. That film will be the starting point for this talk. But this being David Byrne, who knows where the event will take us. All we know is that it’s going to be one hell of a ride.