Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Pearl Jam, Rita Ora, Run-DMC, Santigold, Jill Scott, Janelle Monae, Skrillex, Odd Future, The Hives, Passion Pit, D’Angelo and Gary Clark Jr.
Running Time: 90 minutes
Certificate: 15
It’s nearly festival season, so MADE IN AMERICA is a perfect time to share the music and (in the sense of this documentary) a very precise moment to bring people together from all kinds of different backgrounds and nationalities.
With America being one of the primary countries trying to climb itself out of the worst economic downturns of recent times, Ron Howard’s exposé on the inaugural two-day Budweiser Made In America festival that took place in 2012. He gives us a brilliant representation of how music not only helps people escape from the usual day-to-day reality but how it can inspire and unite communities from all kinds of beginnings.
Jay-Z is centre stage here, both literally and because he helped organise this first event. He’s a hard working musician with continual raw talent, who has given all to get to the top and make no mistake, he’s aware of every choice he’s made along the way.
Ron Howard’s MADE IN AMERICA focuses on the varying artists that have come together to put on this two-day event, it’s loosely based on that elusive American dream but also very aware that ‘the dream’ has faltered dramatically in recent years. From following a single mother, who’s aiming to raise enough funds to get her taco truck on the road, to local young Philadelphia talent hoping for a moment in the spotlight, this documentary is self-aware enough to understand that alongside the big names, it’s the people that are coming to watch that are the most important.
The big names involved alongside Jay-Z are Kanye West, Pearl Jam, Rita Ora, Run-DMC, Santigold, Jill Scott, Janelle Monae, Skrillex, Odd Future, The Hives, Passion Pit, D’Angelo and Gary Clark Jr. Each of these artists has their moment to tell their story and in hope of inspiring the people watching whenever they perform.
Failure isn’t skirted over either; it’s slotted in effortlessly within the life stories of the musicians with an overall message of ‘keep on working’ because it’s all about believing in yourself if you really want to succeed. Janelle Monae talks of her hard-working family roots and the understanding of what it takes to get somewhere if you want it. Run-DMC also point out that music succeeds where politics and religion fails and, quite frankly, I couldn’t agree more. They also offer up important advice to younger artists who have to remember to take responsibility for what they’re saying in their music. If you relate to how the media portray some genres, I think we can all understand that.
To be honest, there’s so much motivation and understand that comes across in this documentary that it’s definitely one to watch, either if you’re looking for that kick in your life or just love the music, you can’t fail to be effected by what’s being put across. In the words of Jay-Z, when he’s talking about the economy and what’s next, he says:
After these great tragedies, creativity is born. And I feel we’re in that period now where people are people are pulling themselves up by the bootstraps and saying ‘Okay, I’m going to go out and do this, do it our way.’
MADE IN AMERICA not only celebrates the quintessential freedom of music and expressionism but the personal hope that anyone holds if you want something better in your life. However, taking that leap is your choice but if you’re good at one thing – and you’re very good – don’t even think of giving up. Just keep on working and you can get there if you want it. The documentary also celebrates the beautiful diversity of music from different backgrounds, and how it’ll comes together to give you freedom and what could be more American than that? This is a tremendous microcosm of hope, possibility and hard-work, go watch it and achieve what you know you can.
[usr=4] MADE IN AMERICA is available on VoD and DVD 19th May.
