Beyonce's album Renaissance drew on generations worth of black and queer dance music

and the subsequent tour packed stadiums with an epic lavish spectacle.

It had massive screens, towering props, dancers, hydraulics, the works.

Now she's released a maximalist concert film that captures the experience and shows why the tour was such a phenomenon this summer.

The film topped the box office over the weekend.

I'm Stephen Thompson and today we are talking about Renaissance, a film by Beyoncé on

pop culture happy hour from NPR.

Joining me today is NPR Music music correspondent Sydney Madden. Hey Sydney

what's up Stephen. Also with us n PR senior editor Bilal Kereshi hey Bilal

I Stephen. It is great to have you both.

So Beyonce's album Renaissance was a blockbuster.

It won four Grammys earlier this year and inspired a world tour that has earned more than

five hundred million dollars. Now Renaissance, a film by that has earned more than $500 million.

Now, Renaissance, a film by Beyoncé recreates the experience of watching the tour play out.

It alternates concert performances with behind-the-scenes footage that places the tour in context.

The film shows quite a bit of the work that went into putting on the

Renaissance tour while also providing a sense of Beyonce's own journey

as a highly driven artist who's determined to a

own journey as a highly driven artist who's determined to be the best at everything she does.

Renaissance, a film by Beyoncé is in theaters now.

Sydney Madden, I'm going to start with you.

What did you think of the movie?

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