The 51st Telluride Film Festival commenced with the world premiere of Piece by Piece, an animated documentary showcasing the life of Pharrell Williams, a renowned singer, songwriter, and record producer. The film was well-received during its Patron Preview screening at the Werner Herzog Theatre, with attendees praising its originality and engaging storytelling.
Directed by Morgan Neville, an Oscar-winning documentarian known for his work on '20 Feet from Stardom,' Piece by Piece runs for 93 minutes and offers a unique perspective on Williams' journey from Virginia Beach to stardom. The film creatively uses LEGO animations to visually represent Williams' experiences, highlighting his synesthesia, a condition where sounds are perceived as visual stimuli.
Williams, who also serves as a producer on the film, collaborated closely with Neville to provide insights into his life and career. The documentary features a mix of Williams' hit songs, including 'Happy,' as well as two new tracks. 'Piece by Piece,' a song featuring the Princess Anne High School marching band, is being touted as a potential contender for the Best Original Song Oscar.
Historically, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has grappled with categorizing films that blur genre boundaries. Notable examples include 'Waltz with Bashir' in 2008, which received a nomination for Best International Feature but not in other major categories. In a groundbreaking move, 'Flee' in 2021 became the first animated film nominated for Best Documentary Feature and vice versa.
Focus Features plans to release Piece by Piece widely on October 11 and aims to position the film for recognition in multiple Oscar categories, including Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Original Song, and potentially even Best Picture. With the current landscape of contenders appearing sparse, the strong support for Williams and Neville could propel Piece by Piece into the prestigious Best Picture category.
