Spike Lee’s David Byrne flick to open TIFF 2020

The glitz and glam of the Toronto International Film Festival is definitely going to be pared back this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean the 45^th festival isn’t about to do it up in their own way. And this year that means giving the coveted opening night slot to acclaimed director Spike Lee.The powers that be who run the yearly celebration of film have announced that Lee’s American Utopia will kick off the September festival on Sept. 10, the same night that the project hits up HBO. The filmed-version of David Byrne’s Broadway show was shot during its Hudson Theatre presentation, which ran from fall 2019 and through until last February.

Announcing our #TIFF20 Opening Night film: DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA, directed by Spike Lee. https://t.co/SGzmsen3QY pic.twitter.com/9XwzGOYxqN

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) July 21, 2020

[video_embed id='1975285']RELATED: Spike Lee is back on the big screen [/video_embed]Throughout the show Byrne plays his version of Utopia to sold-out crowds, who were impressed by the artist’s performances from his solo album of the same name as well as from his time as the frontman for Talking Heads. Even more impressive is the fact that the 68-year-old sings, plays the instruments, and dances with an entire troupe while also covering songs like Janelle Monáe’s anti-police-brutality offering, “Hell You Talmbout.”“This joyful film takes audiences on a musical journey about openness, optimism, and faith in humanity,” said the executive director and co-head of the festival, Joana Vicente, in a statement. “This is especially poignant at a time of great uncertainty around the world. We’re eager to share the excitement of Opening Night with audiences.”“Spike Lee has somehow always been exactly of his moment and ahead of his time,” added TIFF co-head and artistic director Cameron Bailey. “With David Bryne’s American Utopia, he brings Byrne’s classic songs and joyous stagecraft to the screen just when we need it. Spike’s latest joint is a call to connect with one another, to protest injustice, and, above all, to celebrate life.”Lee has been on a hot streak in recent years with projects like Da 5 Bloods and BlacKkKlansman, for which he won an Oscar for co-writing. Whether he actually makes it out to Toronto for the debut of American Utopia is still unclear though, as organizers have said what they physically present will depend on mandates from Ontario health officials. Currently, TIFF headquarters remained closed.This is the second year in a row that a music doc has opened up the film festival. Last year the Robbie Robertson Crave original Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band kicked off all of the festivities. Meanwhile as movie lovers and industry insiders await more details, TIFF has confirmed that this year’s event will be scaled back to just 50 films when it takes place from September 10-19. Those films will be presented and discussed via a series of physical screenings, drive-ins, digital screenings, virtual red carpets, press conferences and industry talks.“The worldwide health crisis has affected everyone working in the cultural industries, and TIFF has been severely impacted. Its role in the ecosystem of the film industry was the impetus to move forward, to deliver a film festival that inspires and engages audiences, and to serve as a beacon of hope for Toronto, for filmmakers, and for the international film industry,” the festival shares on its official site. “TIFF is the cornerstone of a $2-billion-a-year film industry in Toronto, generates more than $200 million in annual economic activity for the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario, and is the chief market to launch Canadian film content into the global marketplace.”American Utopia joins previously announced titles like Ammonite, starring Saoirse Ronan and Kate Winslet; Bruised, the directorial debut from Halle Berry; and Concrete Cowboy, with Idris Elba, Jharrel Jerome, Caleb McLaughlin and Lorraine Toussaint. More titles will be announced in the coming weeks.[video_embed id='1997208']BEFORE YOU GO: This lawn cube provides a quiet place to work, sleep or exercise [/video_embed]