Keyboard Fantasies

Keyboard Fantasies from 2019 is a wonderfully evocative and intensely atmospheric documentary that unfolds in the mesmerizing world of music and identity. The film has a terrific ensemble of performers: Jeremy Costello, Nick Dourado, and the pursuit’s heart, Beverly Glenn-Copeland. Directed by Posy Dixon, the documentary illuminates one of the intriguing and most understated narratives in the landscape of contemporary music.

The film is a heartfelt tribute and cinematic exploration of Beverly Glenn-Copeland's life journey, and the renewed attention and recognition he has received in recent years. Glenn-Copeland, a transgender electronic musician whose work has largely been underappreciated, suddenly found himself experiencing a renaissance in his seventies as his 1986 album, also titled "Keyboard Fantasies," ignited the fascination of modern audiences.

The documentary opens a window to view Glenn-Copeland's life experience both as a person of color and a transgender individual operating primarily outside the societal norms within the music industry. These unique perspectives not only add depth to the characters involved but also highlight the larger societal norms and changes that have occurred over Glenn-Copeland’s lifetime.

Jeremy Costello and Nick Dourado are two of Glenn-Copeland's band members who embark on this introspective journey with Glenn-Copeland, providing layered perspectives on the main character and offering new layers of meaning to Glenn-Copeland's music. Guiding the band through a string of performances, the film portrays a key chapter of their collective story while underlining the significance of the resurrection of "Keyboard Fantasies."

Keyboard Fantasies is undoubtedly a concert film but it also pairs beautifully intimate performances with deeper dives into the culture of the 80s synth-music scene. Utilizing a fitting mixture of found footage, retrospective reflections, insightful interviews, and music, the movie weaves a rich tapestry depicting Glenn-Copeland’s perseverance and the triumph of his art over adversity and obscurity. These elements combined, provide a textured glimpse not only into Glenn-Copeland's past but also situate us in the present moment of his success and resurgence.

The film uses the language of cinema to address the transformative power of music and how it serves as effective means of communication, linking disparate identities and eras. The film also explores the theme of isolation, charting how Glenn-Copeland dealt with the loneliness and alienation of being a steadfast non-conformist in a world often averse to difference.

The thematic narrative of the film - tracing Glenn-Copeland's life from rejection to validation - reverberates genuinely as it connects with audiences, making it an immensely relatable experience. The time capsule nature of the documentary, surveying Glenn-Copeland's life and career over several decades, allows viewers to draw comparisons, reactions and introspections from their personal experiences.

The film's most emotional moments are found in its unflinching portrayal of the struggles faced by Glenn-Copeland in his quest to live authentically, produce music ardently, and push against the restrictive boundaries set by society. The resilience and courage displayed by Glenn-Copeland throughout his career are nothing short of inspirational.

From the technical side of things, the film is a masterful demonstration of documentary filmmaking. Dixon beautifully melds multiple narrative threads into one cohesive story, effortlessly transitioning between Glenn-Copeland's past and present, between music and biography. The editing is precise, the cinematography is authentic and immersive, and the sound design perfectly complements the emotional tone of the documentary.

Keyboard Fantasies is more than just a documentary. It’s an affirmation of identity, an ode to art, and a celebration of an avant-garde artist who was ahead of his time. Incorporating powerful narrative threads about resilience, perseverance, identity, and music, the film shines light on Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s extraordinary life and compositions, lifting him from his undeserved obscurity and forever etching his name in the annals of synth music.

While delving into the world of music, reality, and fantasy, Keyboard Fantasies also serves as a remarkable human story about a man's quiet, yet resonant impact on the world around him. It reiterates the power of perseverance and faith, poignantly highlighting Beverly Glenn-Copeland's unfailing belief in the transformative power of music. It is a touching and visually arresting revelation of a virtuoso who merges his music and identity to inspire a new generation of listeners across the globe.