I watched two documentaries that centered around cherished icons at the festival. They revolved around celebrities that caused significant changes in different art forms and decades. One focused on music (mainly hip-hop), starting in the early 2000s, and continues to be an influential artist that everybody has eyes attached to what he has to say. The other is a couple that people adore until this day, mainly during the golden age of television, and revolutionized the sitcom game. These documentaries played in the ‘Premieres’ sections of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Each doc explores their respective legends in different ways that people who cherish these figures appreciate.
‘jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy’ (Directed by Coodie and Chike)
The first of the two docs is Coodie and Chike’s documentary about Kanye Omari West, “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy” (a play on the word “genius,” which Ye considers himself to be, and music-wise he deserves it). The doc shows his growth as an artist from his beginnings as a producer to today’s hip-hop don.
Although he has his array of problems, political standings, random rants, and all, Ye (formerly Kanye West) is an icon; more than an icon, he changed hip hop one record at a time. It just takes him a couple of years to mix his sounds into another wavelength. It’s noticeable in his transition from “808s & Heartbreaks” to “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” to “Yeezus” (which made this generation of artists crave the sound and blend it with the techniques of other artists like Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, amongst others).
This documentary shows it all, mostly his beginnings as a producer and trying to get signed since nobody would take a rapper-producer seriously in those days. Coodie and Chike knew that Ye’ was going to be a star and win Grammys on Grammys; however their support wasn’t enough to make a record label head offer him a contract.
Coodie and Chike knew that Ye’ was going to be a star and win Grammys on Grammys…”
Showing Kanye’s Growth Through the Years; ‘Everybody Listens’
Nevertheless, the purpose of this documentary was to show his growth throughout the years, but what the directors didn’t know was that he would be one of the biggest names in music history. Ye speaks a word, and people listen; most don’t follow what he says, but everybody listens at least. The first part of the trilogy revolves around the underdog trying to get the respect he deserves and trying to achieve his dreams of making his own beats and rapping in them as a career. My main problem with the first part of “jeen-yuhs” is it takes up many minutes that revolve around nothing much.
There is also the grainy film which wasn’t restored that well, and the camera work is shoddy (at the beginning at least; as the documentary passes, Coodie gets better at filming). The best parts of the documentary are when they doubt Ye, when they want to take advantage of him, or moments of musical brilliance (that Midas touch).
There are also appearances by Mase, Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey (aka. Mos Def), JAY Z (of course), DJ Clue, and a couple of other artists who were hot at the time. This is a documentary that his fans will eat up; the bigger the fan you are, the more you will get out of it. Most probably, episode two will revolve around more exciting topics, like Ye’s struggles with making “Late Registration” and “Graduation,” as well as his process in changing his sound. Still, so far, with episode one, I expected a bit more.
Our Grade: C+
‘Lucy and Desi’ (Directed by Amy Poehler)
The second one is Amy Poehler’s documentary, “Lucy and Desi.” After seeing Aaron Sorkin’s interpretation of the golden TV couple, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, in the creaky and uninteresting “Being the Ricardos” as well as seeing a version of Lucille in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza” in one of the film’s funniest scenes, some people have had enough with seeing interpretations of them.
If Sorkin’s version left a bad taste in your mouth after watching —and you feel as if you need a cleanser with more heft — well, then this is for you. Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucy and Desi, put her trust in Amy Poehler to direct a documentary about her parents that covered parts of their lives that people may not have known, and it goes by the name of “Lucy and Desi.” The Saturday Night Live ex-star uses this doc to reflect on how awe-inspiring the couple was and how “I Love Lucy” made a global impact on television and the culture.
It was a different time back then; millions of people were glued to the TV watching the magnetic Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, and seeing the show tells you why the audience was so hooked. It’s obviously charming! Their line delivery, the hand maneuvers, funny faces, somewhat relatable stories, and the accordion-like comedy schemes grant the way for comedic success. They were just lovable screen presences.
A Doc that Gives the Sensation Lucy and Desi Really Cared for the Other
Nevertheless, as I mentioned before, the doc doesn’t want to revolve around the same formulaic focal points. In addition, “Lucy and Desi” shines a light on what happened behind the scenes, their struggles of keeping the relationship afloat from the last years of the show, and what came next for them. This is possible thanks to home videos and audiotapes that Lucie gave Poehler access to, and there are also interviews with people that knew them. Most people knew that both Desi and Lucy were involved in the sitcom beyond their acting; but what I didn’t know is the reasons for why some situations surrounding it occurred.
‘I Love Lucy’ was, in some measure, created so that Arnaz wouldn’t have to leave so often on tour.”
“I Love Lucy” was, in some measure, created so that Arnaz wouldn’t have to leave so often on tour. Meanwhile, the show went to reruns so that Ball could give birth to her son and recover. It’s also interesting that they had different views on fame and the TV/movie business.
Ball loved the whole thing; she remained a force behind the camera for a long time, even founding the careers of legendary comics and screen legends like Bette Midler and Carol Burnett. Simultaneously, when they split up, Arnaz was focused on boosting up the company they created, Desilu, so that it could keep on running and making pictures and television series.
It’s unfortunate how their lives came to be afterward; but the doc still gives us the sensation that they really cared for each other. Likewise, Poehler finds a way to fix beauty in the most troublesome times in the iconic couple’s lives. It’s not the best documentary about screen magnets or Hollywood icons; however, it shows us the various points on why everybody loves Lucy and Desi.
Our Grade: B-
This review was written from day 8 of Sundance Film Festival’s 2022 programming.
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