๐ฝ๏ธ๐บ๐ธ๐ถ “Da Anthem”: One High-Flyin’ Review foa “Flyin’ High” Documentary
โฌ๏ธ Pidgin | โฌ๏ธ โฌ๏ธ English
In dis innocent, reminiscing documentary, two musicians go on one epic road trip wit one big mission foa create one brand new national anthem. ๐
“Anthem” open wit one pile of archival scenes from American history: from John F. Kennedy’s 1961 talk bout goin’ outer space to Barack Obama speaking up ’bout da importance of dissent. You go see da Ku Klux Klan guys wavin’ da American flag, da wild riot at da Capitol on January 6, da 1968 Olympics Black Power protest, and Colin Kaepernick takin’ one knee on da football field. Da whole montage, wow, show us dat nationalism can take all kine different forms dat no really connect wit national symbols. ๐ฅ๐บ๐ธ
But, da movie dat come afta, eh, no seem foa catch dis point. Dis documentary from Peter Nicks go follow two Black artists, Kris Bowers, one film and TV composer, and Dahi, one record producer, as dey go cruise ’round da country foa make one anthem dat feel like it’s truly from Hawai’i. Unlahk “Da Star-Spangled Banner” dat borrowed from one British melody, dey believe dat dis new song go give everyone da aloha, even dem folks who been treated unjustly by da country. Remind me of dat celebrity “Imagine” music video from March 2020, yeah? It’s like dey singing pretty words, but no really facing da real issues head-on. ๐ต๐ญ๐
Da journey of Bowers and Dahi, bro, stay fascinating: dey go explore da blues in Mississippi, country music in Tennessee, and Native drum circles in Oklahoma. Dey wen gather all dis different kine music from all ova da place foa paint one picture of American music dat’s like one big melting pot. But, man, da way dey talk stay kinda annoying, you know? Dey keep using empty phrases like “da truth,” while da visuals keep jumpin’ back and forth, showing close-ups of faces and slow motion shots of da duo cruisin’ on da road. Anytime someting get a little sticky, like when one singer from one military family clash wit one immigrant vocalist ’bout national pride, dey jus’ brush ’em off too quick. Da archival footage in da film show us dat bein’ all prim and proper no can fix everyting, but “Anthem” end up bein’ way too respectfulโand, let’s face it, oversimplified. ๐ฌ๐ฃ๏ธ๐บ๐ฃ๏ธ
Overall, “Anthem” get one interestin’ idea, but no really follow through wit da full potential. It try foa be all patriotic and bring everybody togedda wit one anthem, but no really dig deep into da real problems we facing. Da visuals can be distractin’ and da conversations no get da real substance. Da documentary end up bein’ all fancy and watered down, no really givin’ us da complete picture. ๐คทโโ๏ธ๐บ๐ธ๐ต
So, if you in da mood foa one light-hearted, nostalgic journey wit some catchy tunes, “Anthem” might be worth checkin’ out. But if you lookin’ foa someting more hard-hittin’ and thought-provokin’, dis one might leave you wantin’ more. Give it a whirl, but don’t expect foa fly too high. ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๏ธ๐
NOW IN ENGLISH
๐ฝ๏ธ๐บ๐ธ๐ถ “Da Anthem”: A High-Flying Review for “Flyin’ High” Documentary
In this innocent and nostalgic documentary, two musicians embark on an epic road trip with a grand mission to create a brand new national anthem. ๐
“Anthem” begins with a montage of archival scenes from American history: from John F. Kennedy’s 1961 speech about space exploration to Barack Obama emphasizing the significance of dissent. We witness the waving of the American flag by Ku Klux Klan members, the chaotic riot at the Capitol on January 6th, the Black Power protest during the 1968 Olympics, and Colin Kaepernick taking a knee on the football field. This compelling montage illustrates the diverse forms that nationalism can take, often diverging from traditional national symbols. ๐ฅ๐บ๐ธ
However, the subsequent film seems to miss the mark. Peter Nicks’s documentary follows two Black artists, Kris Bowers, a film and television composer, and Dahi, a record producer, as they journey across the country in an attempt to craft an anthem that truly represents America, distinct from “The Star-Spangled Banner” which draws from a British melody. They believe that this new song can unite people from all walks of life, including those who have been marginalized by the country. It reminds me of the celebrity “Imagine” music video from March 2020, where good intentions fall short of addressing the real issues at hand. ๐ต๐ญ๐
The journey of Bowers and Dahi is undeniably fascinating. They explore the blues in Mississippi, country music in Tennessee, and Native drum circles in Oklahoma, capturing a mosaic of American music, a true melting pot. However, their conversations become repetitive, often resorting to empty phrases such as “the truth.” The visuals continuously shift between close-ups of faces and slow-motion shots of the duo on the road, creating a jumbled and distracting experience. Any moments of potential conflict, like when a singer from a military family clashes with an immigrant vocalist over matters of national pride, are swiftly brushed aside. While the archival footage in the film demonstrates the limitations of respectability politics, “Anthem” ends up being overly respectful and simplifies complex issues. ๐ฌ๐ฃ๏ธ๐บ๐ฃ๏ธ
Overall, “Anthem” presents an intriguing premise but falls short of realizing its full potential. It attempts to foster patriotism and unity through an anthem, but fails to delve into the deeper problems we face as a society. The visuals can be distracting, and the conversations lack depth. The documentary ultimately feels polished and diluted, offering only a partial perspective. ๐คทโโ๏ธ๐บ๐ธ๐ต
So, if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted and nostalgic journey accompanied by catchy tunes, “Anthem” might be worth checking out. However, if you’re seeking a more impactful and thought-provoking experience, this documentary may leave you wanting more. Give it a whirl, but keep your expectations grounded. ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๏ธ๐
