Product Details

• Actors: Ani DiFranco, Righteous Babe
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: RIGHTEOUS BABE
• DVD Release Date: June 11, 2002
• Run Time: 112 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000066BWI
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,193 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Music Video & Concerts > Biography

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Render isn't a documentary or concert video, but a combination of the two--bathed in the casual intimacy of a home movie. In the 2002 film (directed by Hilary Goldberg and DiFranco), the folksinger is shown backstage with her band, in rehearsal, in concert, in the studio, etc. The highlights are the vibrant live performances from Austin, Texas; Knoxville, Tennessee; and New Haven, Connecticut. DiFranco comes in to her own on stage--singing, chatting, relating--she has the charisma of Janis Joplin and the political savvy of Joan Baez, along with the punk rock spunk of Chrissie Hynde (her "Bad Boys Get Spanked" T-shirt testifies to that). Over 20 songs are featured, including such favorites as "The Slant" (from her 1989 debut) and "Cradle and All." Guest performers include Sekou Sundiata and Bitch & Animal, a duo on her Righteous Babe label. Render is the ideal accompaniment to DiFranco's live CD, Living in Clip. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description
Join Ani DiFranco, her band, and members of the extended Righteous Babe family as they crisscross the country in this long-awaited, one-of-a-kind portrait of the Li'l Folksinger at work. Videographers spent years on Ani's trail, capturing her onstage, in the studio, and on the tour bus--footage which Ani herself shaped into a very personal self-portrait. The resulting movie, which draws on material from as far back as 1997, focuses on her 2000 and 2001 tours. This impressionistic collage takes you way behind the scenes; you'll watch a new song take shape and learn the stories behind some favorite older ones. Over two dozen songs are featured, including two brand new Ani songs and previously unreleased live versions of many of her classics. As dynamic, thought-provoking, and fun as one of her concerts, Render gives you a sneak peek into Ani's life and music in her own words, on her own terms. It's a visual live album, it's a road film, it's an art flick, it's a document of a movement in time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Would've given it 5 stars if it would've been longer :), June 13, 2002

By A Customer

For any Ani purists out there--this is a must have. (Just like you gotta have every one her CDs--even the ones you don't quite get) Even if you're only an occasional fan, I still think you'll like this. You won't watch it over and over, cause hey--it really is mostly just a music video. It's familiar ground for those who've been to her concerts. If you turn it up loud enough and turn off your lights--you'll feel like you're there. Much like Living in Clip though, there are those little insights in between the music that make this a new experience. That's really what I bought it for--and I wasn't disappointed. (that and a live version of Dilate!) One thing that really grabbed me was my own little "lesson learned." I have to admit, prior to watching this I never really quite agreed with those who said "don't sing along." I always figured that my singing along was my way of expressing how much I really admired Ani's talent for complex, fascinating and touching lyrics. The explanation she gives here though--it's changed my mind. These kind of moments are sprinkled throughout. Ok--that's all I'm going to say--I could sit here and describe every little perfect moment--but I prefer to treat this like a movie; thus I don't want to ruin the ending for you. Enjoy.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 32 Flavors, and then some (sorry...), July 27, 2002

By	"nsalim" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

Although I'm a long-time fan of her music, I only recently witnessed firsthand the Ani-mania that accompanies her live concerts when I saw her play in April. The kind of energy that prevailed at her concert comes through strikingly well here, both in the intensity, funk, and humor of her performance as well as the (overwhelming!) hysteria of some fans. If Ani seems annoyed at some points in the film (as another reviewer suggests) it's probably because she is. Most of us would be under the circumstances--after all, Ani's only human, and the film reveals precisely that. She's just a woman with a guitar and a voice, and she wants to play.
But the film has a voice that's not confined to the ranks of chords and performances. It's a voice of social consciousness that addresses racism, politics, and a whole range of "cultural soul-searching" issues. And it's all packed in an artsy documentary format, insisting that this is way more than an adorned glorification of our folky friend. It's unpretentious and fun...and the music is OK, too;) Watch if you get the chance...you'll laugh, you'll cry...

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, Thoughtful, and Personal, February 28, 2004

By	Krucialkeys501 "krucialkeys501" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

People often chasitze Ani Difranco for being too preachy of an aritst. I find that funny when the majority of songs that she creates are the reason that we all are fans of her. These songs have the same message she mostly talks about in Render, so I assume it's that most of Ani's fans only like to hear her opinions when there is a guitar playing along. I don't think that's fair.

With Render, Ani Difranco takes you into what she experiences by touring with her band. You see her extended family, and you see her diligent work ethic and devotion to her craft. It's a film showcasing her and her beliefs, so if people cannot accept that, then they shouldn't have bought the DVD in the first place. After all, the DVD says directly Spanning Time with Ani Difranco, not Ani Difranco live in Concert (although I would be excited if she ever decided to release a DVD of that stature).

Also, I personally like most of the songs on the DVD, to the person that called them B-Sides. In fact, My IQ is one of my favorite poems by her, and Overlap is one of my favorite songs. Besides, the most important thing about this DVD is the overall impression, which I think is shown very well. Regardless of wehether or not you agree with her politics, this DVD shows them well researched and in a manner that is obviously just her voicing her opinion based on the things she's learned. To the person who said "why does she say don't judge people for their worst moment in their lives." I didn't see you complaining about the song "Fuel" on Little Plastic Castle, so I don't know why you're suprised she's against capital punishment. You get to get inside the mind of Ani Difranco, a compelling mind at that.

And while I don't agree with her not liking people to sing along at her shows, if you've been to her shows the people sometimes get out of hand and distracting. She's not a popstar, she's a folk singer so we don't want to see her dance and put on a circus like extravaganza. We want to hear her play, therefore Ani is valid for not wanting distractions so that she can do her best job live. I've seen her twice; she doesn't disappoint!