Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé

“D.C…. I love you.” The only regret of my Renaissance World Tour experience is that I only saw it live once. Fiscal responsibility won but, I still should have seen it more than once. Luckily I’ve seen Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé twice. Her art never fails to deliver. Seeing parts of the process and the legion of people required to execute the Renaissance live show was mind blowing. I love the creative process and the work behind the scenes. I savored every moment of the film and could use several more viewings.

Gratitude

Beyoncé described RWT as her gratitude tour. She honored her team in the process. Putting the crew in reflective suits so that the audience could see them and the work they put in every single night. Normally any crew is hidden, wearing black to blend in. Here they had a well deserved spotlight. There were three stages moving about the tour route. The screen was built by hand with more women on a crew than Beyoncé had ever seen. You could hear the admiration in her voice. She doesn’t take for granted how much it takes to attend a show. She built this show with audience experience in mind. Down to where the lights should hit so that they weren’t distracting and added to the experience.

Beyoncé’s birthday show in Los Angeles brimmed with thankfulness. Her heart and soul were full as she held back tears reflecting on everything and everyone she is thankful for and what her art means to her fans. Seeing her run toward Diana Ross like a little girl, bursting with joy and childlike innocence. A young icon with her living legend serenading her on her birthday made me tear up. Approval from your heroes is hard earned.

We wouldn’t have this outstanding musical work, tour, or film without Uncle Johnny. The way that Beyoncé and Ms. Tina remember him makes it clear that he was and continues to be a light in their lives. He introduced his niece to glamour, opulence, beauty, and the power of house music. There is no Renaissance without Uncle Johnny and the Black LGBTQIA+ community. This is a love letter to them and a safe space that they have always deserved. Beyoncé dons the last dress that Uncle Johnny made for her during interview segments. Keeping him close and visible warmed my heart. 

The bond between mother and first-born daughter shines in the film. Ms. Tina is with her eldest often, voicing her admiration and concern for how hard her daughter pushes herself. A mother’s love and support can make all the difference in a person’s life. Beyoncé credits Ms. Tina as the reason and example for her own motherhood. So much of who she is, is a credit to the love and nurture of one Celestine Beyonce Knowles.

The Legendary B.I.C.

One of the best sections features Blue Ivy, this is when I cried. I’ve rooted for her since her birth announcement website. I remember what people have said about that little Black girl. She’s blessed to have parents who are her biggest fans. That foundation made it possible for her to not shrink under unhinged criticism. Her young girl enthusiasm is refreshing. She fought for “Diva” and mom had to gently tell her to chill. I prefer “Diva” live and appreciate Blue’s advocacy. She didn’t want to hear anymore about inflatable fingers and advised her mother to rest. Her joy in receiving a blue balloon from a fan, precious. Her confidence growing from Paris to Kansas City is so beautiful. Amari and Jonte flanking her on both sides, solidified the safe space she was in. Her mother was honored to share the stage with her and we loved seeing her.

Welcome to Mother’s Mind

Indulge me while I ramble in Beyhive for a minute. “I’M THAT GIRL” came in and all I could think was “She’s such a fucking G”. There was no other way to describe it; I was right back in my stadium seat. Embracing flaws and having the night the power went out in Phoenix, iconic. The planning of the acapella for “Cuff It” mixed with the performance made me shiver. Thank God the camera was recording. Bey’s face during the “Diva” dance break, in the depths of her bag. She did say she’s not responsible for what her performer side does; that lady has a mind of her own. Which explains why someone caught a “She ain’t no diva” stray at a show.

Mrs. Carter has an ol’ NASTY strut, I applaud its spotlight. That had to be Atlanta’s ELITE mute challenge in the film. Kevin Prodigy’s “Formation” intro and Beyoncé ascending to the stage gave me chills, just sick. Aye, them girls from Houston don’t play, Megan Thee Stallion with her big sis!! I finally got to experience the Big Three. “Toxic” mixed with “THIQUE”, have mercy. Folks don’t appreciate “ALL UP IN YOUR MIND” enough for me. How sad if you didn’t get it from the beginning. As someone who had knee surgery at the top of the year, I really hope Beyoncé wasn’t hopping on that exact knee during “Drunk In Love”. She was stressing me out. Is Bey “Honey Ham”? If so, that is too cute! The “Honey” section of “PURE/HONEY” dedicated to the legendary Beyhive, how fitting. 

It Takes a Village

Beyoncé is our director, star, and sovereign. The immensely talented people who took this journey with her are responsible for completing the vision and blowing us away visually. I’ve followed Shiona Turini since Insecure introduced me to her work. She and the entire costume department created a traveling couture showcase. I was overwhelmed by the number of drop-dead gorgeous costumes for each show. We need a coffee table book, the work of Gaurav Gupta, Iris van Herpen, Maximilian Davis, Elie Saab, and so many others needs to be cemented in print. The custom Mugler bee costume, those Christian Louboutin silver tiered fringe boots, the cellphone earrings with the wire covered bodysuit! The blue flame custom Roberto Cavalli, KJ Moody you went slam off.

The film editing team deserves an award. The “Diva” kick transition alone is absolutely bananas. Not to mention the slo-mo moments. The “Run the World” outfit splices, mad genius. I wish I knew more about music and production to properly speak to the arrangements. I can say that the “Flaws and All” arrangement was bonkers. The cornucopia of music throughout the show is a gift. Everything is woven together into a tapestry that begs for a live album. Please, it’s too good to forgo. 

Can we get some commotion for the dancers? Darius Hickman and that FAAAAAAAACE. What a beautiful human being in looks and movement. Carlos Irizarry serving old way, the lines and precision. Breathtaking. I need a super cut of every ball. Amari Marshall, dance captain and respectfully, that bitch! She’s enthralling and owned the stage. I need more commotion for another icon. Kevin JZ Prodigy’s narration is a gift. The way he manipulates his voice and his style are so amazing and captivating. There aren’t enough words for this ballroom legend; I am grateful that he exists and gave Renaissance such vibrant authenticity. 

Go Girl

“Let go negativity, let go anxiety” from the first show in Stockholm. Beyoncé has inspired several of my affirmations and I’m going to have to use this one too. Her work always moves something in me. I appreciate her speaking on her feelings and thoughts because she’s human, not a machine. She listed balance as her biggest obstacle. The biggest growth is from overcoming failure, trauma, and conflict. She wants her next chapter to come from joy. I wish that for her after giving so much for 25+ years.

Her tenacity always inspires me. Rehabbing from knee surgery at the top of the year, taking four years to build this show, dealing with sinus infections form the pyrotechnics, or working on lights with her team up until the last show. Her mental fortitude must be commended. Or the times when she has to keep people from playing in her face. Yes, you should look into that 6 mil fisheye lens and yes 30-foot camera tracks do exist. As a Black woman, “this bitch won’t give up” is a constant in my life. A flat and quick “no” will never cut it. You haven’t done your work and it’s obvious, better get to exhausting your options.

“There is no right way, no wrong way, only one way, the Renaissance way.” I’m grateful to have experienced Renaissance on a rainy Sunday night in August at Fedex Field. I’m grateful that my best friend was there with me. One would think it couldn’t get any better and then here comes this film. I remain in awe of her imagination and creativity. I revere the people who breathe life into her vision. Ultimately, I’m grateful to be alive at the same time as Beyoncé and to spend a few hours in her world. 

If you’ve seen the film share your favorite moments in the comments.