Spike Lee doc of David Byrne's Broadway show to kick off TIFF 2020

Acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee's filmed version of David Byrne's Broadway theatrical concert American Utopia will be opening-night film at the Toronto International Film Festival 2020.

Toronto: The 45th Toronto International Film Festival will be a much-diminished event this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it has an opening-night film. Spike Lee's filmed version of David Byrne's Broadway theatrical concert American Utopia will kick off the largely virtual fall festival.

Festival organizers on July 21 said that American Utopia will premiere September 10 in Toronto, even if it remains unclear if it will be a physical screening. That, the festival noted, will be contingent on the dictates of Ontario health officials. TIFF's Toronto headquarters currently remains closed.

According to reports, American Utopia features Byrne of the band Talking Heads. "Pinch me. This couldn't have worked out better for this project," musician Byrne had said earlier.

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He had further shared his excitement, "Spike Lee directing and Participant producing -- two socially engaged teams, well, three, if you count us in the band, coming together in what I feel, will be something moving, important, and unlike anything, anyone has seen before."

The film will include live performances from the Broadway show and makers have planned for a release by this year itself.

With inputs from APTN