Watch Keyboard Fantasies

Keyboard Fantasies is a documentary film that tells the story of Beverly Glenn-Copeland, a pioneering musician, and her journey to finding her place in the music industry. With her extraordinary talent and unique sound, Glenn-Copeland blew audiences away and left many in awe; yet, despite the success she found early on in her career, she found herself struggling to find acceptance in the industry as a transgender artist.

The film follows Glenn-Copeland's journey from her early years as a classically trained pianist, to her gradual evolution towards synthesizers, and the recording and release of her seminal album, Keyboard Fantasies. Recorded in 1986, Keyboard Fantasies was ahead of its time and an almost entirely solo production by Glenn-Copeland. The album is an ambient, new-age masterpiece that was largely ignored by the music industry at the time of its release.

The documentary features interviews with the musician and those closest to her, giving the audience a chance to hear from people who have been inspired by her music for decades. The film also focuses on the power of music, its ability to touch people's lives deeply, and transform them in profound ways. The film explores how Glenn-Copeland's unique synthesis of classical, electronic, and new-age music has transcended time, leaving listeners in awe years later.

The film highlights the personal struggles that Glenn-Copeland faced throughout her life. Despite making a name for herself early on in her career, her identity as a trans artist proved to be a significant challenge in a conservative industry with limited representation. The documentary delves into the struggles she faced due to her gender identity, her disappointment at not receiving the validation she deserved, and the eventual recognition her music received years later.

Keyboard Fantasies also touches on themes of intersectionality, as Glenn-Copeland is a Black, trans, female artist. The film argues that her art and contributions to the music industry have often gone unrecognized and that those issues are compounded by society's limitations on what is considered valuable or worthy of recognition.

The film's use of music is one of its most impressive features. The beautifully shot scenes of Glenn-Copeland performing her music live are genuinely inspiring. The movie uses Glenn-Copeland's music to tell her story, and while it's hard to make music a character to a story, the film does a great job of doing so. The film is peppered with groundbreaking songs from her album, evoking an emotional response from the audience with each melody.

The documentary's overall production is well-crafted and thoughtful. Its pacing and sequencing of scenes offer a great balance between visual storytelling and interviews with musicians, family members, and others who know Glenn-Copeland well. The film paints a portrait of a musician who remains true to herself, regardless of the cost. In doing so, the film celebrates her journey and perseverance through decades of hardship and rejection.

In conclusion, Keyboard Fantasies is a fantastic documentary that showcases Beverly Glenn-Copeland and her exceptional talent as a musician. The film highlights the barriers she fought to overcome throughout her career and the impact that her music has had on listeners worldwide. The documentary is a celebration of Glenn-Copeland's unique sound and her invaluable contributions to the music industry as a trans artist. It's a must-watch film for people who appreciate and enjoy music, and for those interested in stories of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.

Keyboard Fantasies is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 81.