It Should Cost a Billion to See Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé

I remember being at the Beyoncé concert and feeling totally free.

It’s incredible how safe and free you can feel in an arena full of people dressed in sparkles. Seeing little glimmers of people’s outfits in the crowd is something I’ll never forget.

That same feeling returned when I watched the Renaissance concert film. It felt a little different though, there was a freedom to be inspired by her artistry. 

Beyoncé spends a long time curating the exact vibe she wants to create at her concerts. The Renaissance tour exuded feelings of safety, community, and freedom. A vibe she spent 4 years creating.

The film not only features the entire Renaissance album live but the behind the scenes look at all the work that went into creating the tour. While we do not get the entire concert setlist in the film, the songs that are missing don’t truly disappear. You hear a couple seconds of the missing songs throughout the film. The spirit of the setlist still lives within the film.

One of my favourite things about the film itself was the editing. Beyoncé wore many outfits while touring and so many got featured through seamless cuts and transitions. A lot of them feel like blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of moments. The film's technical aspects are what keep you watching.

While watching you get a (calculated) peek at Beyoncé. Beyoncé, the mother. Beyoncé, the wife. Beyoncé, the businesswoman. Beyoncé, the artist and Beyoncé the performer. The last two go hand in hand because as she perfects her craft, you’re only seeing what Beyoncé wants you to see.

She wants you to see how Uncle Johnny inspired her and supported her career. She wants you to see her being a mother and Blue’s transformation as a performer. She wants you to see the hard work she put into this tour with small details like the lights, and inflatable fingers. Beyoncé wants you to see her rehabbing her knee as she had surgery on it a month before rehearsals. You understand the Renaissance album better when you realize it’s a culmination of Beyoncé’s entire career and she’s finally content with what she’s doing.

Beyoncé deserves everything she’s ever worked for and this film inspires the audience to do the same.

The film also feels like it ushers in a new Beyoncé. The Beyoncé, who doesn’t care about whatever comes her way, she’ll find a way through it. When you’re one of the most powerful stars in the world, you can do what you want. The song at the end “My House” solidifies that. 

I will forever be in awe of her, and watching the Renaissance film amplifies that awe.