Aunties, the nieces and nephews will want to see Pharrell Williams tell the story of his career in the new documentary, Piece by Piece. Using the Lego movie format, Williams opts out of archival footage and realism. Instead, the Virginia native enlisted director Morgan Neville to give viewers the story of his music career filled with color, wonder and nostalgia. The films medium also creates space for the younger generation to learn about and build a connection to Pharrell’s body of work.
In an interview with HighSnobiety, Williams discussed his reasons for foregoing a traditional music documentary:
“When I was a kid, my earliest memories of toys was LEGO sets from my parents. And with our four kids now, all we’ve ever gotten them consistently is LEGO sets,” Pharrell said.
“I wanted my kids to be able to understand the minute that the film was done they could watch it and really totally get it. So it was a means of not only objectifying myself so that I could get inspired and actually be able to do music and what have you, but also, to make it so that all my kids could understand when dad was telling his story.”
The film starts at the super-producer’s humble beginnings in a Virginia Beach public housing project. While, Young Pharrell lived mentally in the clouds, he acknowledges the role seeing street life, hustlers in particular, had on the evolution of his personal-style:
“They would wear a lot of Polo and have a lot of big chains on, and get in the big body Mercedes Benzes. We were enamored by that.”
Though he was enamored, the Daft Punk member stayed true to himself and did not compromise authenticity.
“When I was young, we didn’t really hang with the drug dealers,” Pharrell said.
“We were more part of the skate world. Native Tongues, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, Leaders. It was black hippie beatnik-type vibes meets skater. That was my world.”
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That duality allowed Pharrell to collect an eclectic and talented group of friends. Missy Elliot, Timbaland and his producing partner Chad.
The audience watches as Williams battles insecurity and professional predators, all while dancing to his astounding musical catalog.
Piece by Piece is a testament to Pharrell’s artistic curiosity. His story contains familiar themes — hardship, loss, ego, money and triumph — but watching those themes unfold, at the direction Morgan Neville, of is the true joy.
Even in the saddest moments of the film, there exists wonder. Piece by Piece premiers in theaters Oct. 11.
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