In the midst of the pandemic, fans and musicians were isolated from one another as concerts came to a screeching halt. However, Japanese musician, songwriter and director…
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
In the midst of the pandemic, fans and musicians were isolated from one another as concerts came to a screeching halt.
However, Japanese musician, songwriter and director Yoshiki wanted to find a way to bring people together amid the difficult circumstances. He sat down with Variety‘s senior awards editor Clayton Davis to discuss his documentary “Yoshiki: Under the Sky,” which tells the story of how he put on a global concert during the pandemic.
Yoshiki’s film features live performances from The Chainsmokers, St. Vincent, Sarah Brightman, Hyde, Sugizo, Scorpions and Nicole Scherzinger, among many other artists.
“If there is no music, I don’t think I exist,” Yoshiki said in the Variety Streaming Room chat. He discussed the loss of his father and how music was instrumental throughout his life as he struggled with his own mental health.
The musicians in “Under the Sky” perform all around the world — the film brings together artists in Los Angeles, Germany, Japan, Beijing and other locations.
“[It could easily have been a] living room to living room, Zoom call-ish concert, but I wanted to something bigger than life,” Yoshiki said, explaining how the artists filmed outside amidst the pandemic restrictions.
Davis asked if Yoshiki finds communicating through music to be more effective than communicating through words.
He answered this question affirmatively, sharing that he started playing piano before he could speak properly. He also pointed out that music is a universal form of communication transcendent of language barriers.
“It’s easier for me to convey or express myself through music than actually choosing the words to express,” he said.
Yoshiki also shared what he hopes people take away from his film, “We are here to support each other, not hate each other. I would like people to watch this film to realize why we’re here. We are supposed to spread our love.”
Watch the full conversation above.