Anthem

Anthem

For its love of the flag, America is often mocked worldwide. Hung outside homes, worn on shirts, stuck to bumper stickers the flag is everywhere in America. But what has caused quite a stir over the past few years is another symbol: the anthem. And cultural rejection thereof. Whether it’s kneeling as it plays or refusing to sing along, simple actions become powerful displays of opposition and touchy subjects for the country’s most loyal “patriots.”

This disillusionment, of course, stems from systemic oppression of people outside the majority. Produced by Ryan Coogler, Peter Nicks’ documentary “Anthem” follows composer Kris Bowers (“Brigerton,” “Green Book”) and producer D.J. Dahi (“Self Care” by Mac Miller, “Money Trees” by Kendrick Lamar) as they tour America looking to reinvent the anthem.

The film takes on the road format as Dahi and Bowers travel to American genre capitals such as Nashville, Detroit and the Bay Area meeting artists and discussing their love for music. All these individuals perform music that exemplifies their respective genres while also recounting its histories, significance and qualities. Across all groups music is love, music brings people together; but it’s also true that no matter how hard we try an anthem does neither.

Every interaction they have with artists is plagued with a troubling sense of artifice as they traverse the country interviewing breadth after breadth of talent. The conversations lack genuine chemistry it feels like checking boxes rather than engaging with subjects thoughtfully or deeply. Between each other even Dahi and Bowers seem forced together without much chemistry or rapport; more like two talented students stuck doing a group project.

The camera always feels strongly present to those in front of it which leads to a rigidity that sucks out any emotion from the sentiment being expressed at them so hard I’m sure I’ve seen some rocks display more empathy during an educational spiel. What’s being said is important but in a documentary rooted in empathy and unity there’s no connection between the subjects, which translates even further through the screen.

Equally formulaic is “Anthem” itself. Dahi and Bowers drive to a city; they hear their subject play; then they interview them. This repeats throughout the documentary and while it works for getting all information across it becomes fatiguing. Perhaps these downfalls are a result of the film’s ambition: tracking a transnational exploration of music, interviewing figures within the community and making a song at the end. There was a lot of ground to cover in 98 minutes, and while more time may have been used in favor of lengthening it further fixing the lack of communion between subjects would be much harder.

But what is most interesting about “Anthem” is its look into the history of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and subsequent hypocrisy that has surrounded it since day one. The American anthem was written by Francis Scott Key to the tune of a British song a philosophical complication off-the-bat only further proven representative disaster after another today.

The project “Anthem” is special and compelling, but the documentary does not live up to it. It’s striking how much of the musical process was left out. We are introduced to gospel singers, country singers, Native singers, jazz singers, etc., but we hardly get an insight into how Dahi and Bowers compose the song to include these genres. The music itself is neglected while they show conversations between artists across the country as they write lyrics and discuss hopeful v. critical tone of it.

There’s a great analogy when Dahi and Bowers visit Detroit where jazz musicians unveil what makes their performance work. Jazz is a conversation with all players; they have to work together, listen, know when to play, and when to let another player shine. This should have been the whole philosophy behind this documentary which on paper works but in execution teeters on connecting its feeling to its format.

“Anthem” is a love letter to the art form and diversity in this country where many of these genres originated from but it falls short of becoming that for itself. The American fight against racism and stuck in the mud traditionalism rears itself again. Of course symbols of these forces are just as hard to change as minds themselves so “Anthem” takes up this herculean task by making a conscious effort towards displaying beauty culture has in store for United States along with music’s intrinsic linkages. Yet still with acknowledging importance behind its thesis statement there isn’t enough empathy given in order for people to be moved by it fully.

Watch Anthem For Free On Gomovies.