Anthem opens with a series of historical archives from U.S. History. They lead to a long patriotic movie uncovering the history of the song often used to represent the U.S. The United States fascination with its national flag often comes under international scrutiny. The ubiquity of the flag in various forms, from hanging outside residences to being on t-shirts, forms an integral part of the American visual landscape. A similar emblem of reverence, the national anthem, has been under heated debate in recent years due to the cultural resistance it has encountered. Gestures such as kneeling during its performance or not singing along, though seemingly trivial, are powerful acts of defiance, which don’t sit well with the most fervent American “patriots.”
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At the root of this disillusionment is the systemic marginalization of those outside the majority group. In the documentary “Anthem”, directed by Peter Nicks and produced by Ryan Coogler, we follow composer Kris Bowers and producer D.J. Dahi on a cross-country journey to reshape the anthem.
"Anthem" is like a road movie, with Dahi and Bowers traveling to American music hubs like Nashville, Detroit, and the Bay Area. Here they engage with local musicians, exploring their passion for music and the history and characteristics of their respective genres. A common theme among all groups is the unifying and endearing power of music, a quality they believe the anthem lacks.
Throughout the film, they interview a range of artists, but the interaction appears forced and contrived. The dialogues feel more like ticking off an interviewee list than authentically engaging with them. There's also a lack of camaraderie between Dahi and Bowers, making it feel like two brilliant students forced into a group assignment.
The presence of the camera influences the behaviour of those on-screen, resulting in a stiffness that strips away the intended emotion. These exchanges come across as educational speeches rather than empathic dialogues. While the content is undeniably valuable, the documentary's emphasis on empathy and unity is undermined by the emotional gap between the subjects, an estrangement that is further amplified for the viewer.
"Anthem" follows a predictable pattern: Dahi and Bowers arrive at a city, watch performances, and conduct interviews. The monotony of this sequence, repeated throughout the documentary, is wearying. Despite its noble ambition, the film struggles to balance exploring music across the nation, interviewing community figures, and creating a concluding anthem, all within 98 minutes. A longer duration could have eased the pacing, but the disconnection between the subjects is a more complex issue to address.
"Anthem" intriguingly probes into the history of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the irony that has shadowed it since its inception. Despite being set to a British tune, the American anthem has a contradictory lineage that continues to manifest itself in contemporary representational challenges.
The documentary's concept is unique and captivating, but its execution falls short. A key oversight is the limited portrayal of the music creation process. The film introduces us to an array of vocalists from different genres, but offers limited insight into how Dahi and Bowers blend these styles into their composition. The dialogues with artists across the nation are depicted as they draft the lyrics and debate the tone, yet the musical aspect is largely neglected.
During their visit to Detroit, jazz musicians illustrate the essence of their performance: Jazz is a dialogue among all the participants, requiring collaboration, active listening, and understanding when to step back and let others take the lead. This philosophy aligns with the documentary's objective, but it falls short in translating this sentiment into its format.
Despite being a heartfelt homage to diverse musical genres and their American roots, “Anthem” fails to fully achieve its potential. It grapples with the struggle against racism and entrenched traditionalism in the US. The symbols of these issues are as resilient as the mindsets they represent. Although “Anthem” admirably attempts to showcase the cultural beauty of the US and its intrinsic connection to music, it fails to deliver the deep-seated empathy needed to inspire change.
