by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
The main event that we’ve been waiting for is finally here! After a six-year hiatus, Beyoncé released her highly-anticipated seventh album, Renaissance, in 2022, following her 2023 tour. At the end of the tour run, the iconic singer announced the documentary film, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, shortly after.
This 168-minute documentary follows the process of the album, and creating the tour and the concert from several stops, including her birthday show in Inglewood, and brings audiences into the private world of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
The film starts building the anticipation as the show begins. The fans are dressed to the nines: silver and platinum, cowboy hats of the star’s face plastered on shirts. The crowd is thunderous, as the billboard of the songstress, reminiscent of Donna Summer before, coming from below in the first extravagant gown for the night. As her opening act, Beyoncé opened the show with a rousing rendition of “Dangerously in Love 2” and “Flaws and All,” while thanking her fans after being in the industry for over 20 years, and still here getting to do what she loves to do.
After the opening act, we get a behind-the-scenes look and at the performer and her team preparing for this tour, which was a four-year process. The stage production was massive; the tour had three stages: one stage was built, and the other two were being made for the next city stops. Watching the job get done is entertaining as you’re patiently waiting for the show to begin.
Beyoncé shows she’s the boss, running a tight ship and knowing how she wants her show to wow her concertgoers. You may not be a fan of the singer, but her dedication, determination, and restlessness make you respect her even more.
A couple of times, Beyoncé’s team challenges her, where the pop star asks for a 30-foot camera track and is told it possibly couldn’t be done. Still, she finds one after searching on Google for one. Or by her body as the entertainer was training shortly after a knee surgery from a 15-plus-year injury from a previous tour. Beyoncé is a true artist who doesn’t take any shit, and who wants things done right.
While trying to put on one of the best tours of the year, we catch a glimpse of her family life, seeing Rumi, Sir, and, of course, Blue Ivy. The woman who once one-fourth of Destiny’s Child from Houston, Texas, is now the superstar she is; taking on motherhood, she joyfully observes her child, her firstborn, onstage alongside her, (who also deals with the negativity from social media as her mother does, as her dancing skills weren’t up to par for the internet trolls). The star also talks about being a wife, and not caring what anyone thinks. Beyoncé is all about being free and doing things her way.
The behind-the-scenes show the meaning of Renaissance, what it means to the singer. This album became a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community, as the sound showcases the 1970s Black ball culture, dance, and house music, and Beyoncé’s “Uncle” Johnny, her gay cousin who helped raised her, introduced the artist to the culture. As the film is about her, she does highlight her dancers, who she dubs The Dolls. The safe place she has created for her fans not to be judged, live their lives, and be free in their truth is gratifying when you see the faces of her old and new fans watching their favorite performer giving her all and having a ball.
As the tour continues, we go down memory lane with the complete track list of Renaissance and familiar hits, including one that almost didn’t make it, “Diva.” But from the vehement reaction Blue Ivy disagreeing with her mother, Beyoncé had to stop her child and explain she couldn’t just cut people off. Still, before the artist can finish her statement, the scene cuts comically as the song plays.
Beyoncé created a fantastic piece of art. The production is immaculate, and you genuinely feel you’re back at your city stadium that saw Queen Bey in the flesh. There is an overwhelming feeling of happiness when you sing along, dance in your seat, or get up and hit the choreography.
Old and new fans alike, if you saw the show live or not, would want to enjoy this experience on the big screen. Renaissance will leave you speechless and make you want to come back for more.
Rating: Loved It
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Chantal Ashford, and follow her on Twitter or Letterboxd