James R | On 20, Apr 2019

This week, Netflix sent music fans into meltdown with the premiere of new Beyoncé documentary Homecoming. The movie, which is anchored around her 2018 performance at Coachella, offers an intimate, in-depth look at the celebrated concert, from creative concept to cultural movement. The singer was the first Black woman to headline the event, and announced the Homecoming Scholars Awards Programme to coincide with it, providing scholarships to students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

HBO was reportedly in contention for the movie, having previously released her visual album Lemonade in 2016 and two previous concert docs, 2014’s On the Run Tour with Jay-Z and 2013’s Life Is But a Dream. Netflix, though, emerged on top with a higher bid, with Variety reporting that Homecoming is the first in a three-project deal.

The agreement is worth $60 million, sources told the publication, with Homecoming worth around $20 million. Beyoncé and Netflix have not commented on the deal, although one source reportedly disputed the precise financial terms of the agreement. The news arrives as Homecoming continues to make waves, with Beyoncé also surprise-releasing a 40-track album to accompany the movie’s debut this week.

It marks a growing push into music territory by Netflix, which has previously released Springsteen on Broadway, Gaga: Five Foot Two, and Quincy Jones doc Quincy.

 

Homecoming: Netflix unveils Beyonce documentary

8th April 2019

There aren’t many pop stars, or media companies, capable of sending the Internet into a frenzy just by releasing a cryptic image. This weekend, Netflix and Beyonce reminded us that they are in that select club, releasing a teaser for a mysterious project.

Netflix posted a tweet yesterday that contained no footage, no details or even a photo, instead solely consisting of a single title card: Homecoming. The image, its Greek-style lettering and the yellow colour recall one of the outfits the singer wore during her performance at Coachella, which she opened with Crazy in Love, performed in a yellow hoodie with the Greek letters Beta Delta Kappa.

The singer was the first Black woman to headline the event, and announced the Homecoming Scholars Awards Programme to coincide with it, providing scholarships to students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It has since supported a student at each of the eight HBCUs: Texas Southern University, Morehouse College, Fisk University, Grambling State University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Wilberforce University, Tuskegee University and Bethune-Cookman University.

Now, Netflix has dropped a trailer for Homecoming, an intimate look at Beyoncé’s historic 2018 Coachella performance. Interspersed with candid footage and interviews detailing the preparation and powerful intent behind her vision, Homecoming traces the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement.

The film drops on Netflix on 17th April. Here’s the video:

 

Homecoming is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

 

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