Beyoncé to direct HBO documentary about herself

Tuesday November 27, 2012 12:10 PM By Chris Serico

Photo credit: Getty Images | Beyoncé performs live on the pyramid stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton in Glastonbury, England. The festival, which started in 1970 when several hundred hippies paid 1 pound to attend, has grown into Europe's largest music festival. (June 26, 2011)

Beyoncé will take charge of an HBO documentary about the subject she knows best: herself.

The pop and R&B superstar, who owns a Scarsdale home with her husband, Jay-Z, will be calling the shots as director of her own film, slated to premiere Feb. 16. The documentary is expected to be a fusion of stage performances and behind-the-scenes footage, some of which Beyoncé will shoot from her laptop.

Michael Lombardo, president of HBO's programming division, said in a statement that the production will showcase another, rarely seen side of the music icon.

"Everybody knows Beyoncé's music, but few know Beyoncé the person," he said. "Along with electrifying footage of Beyoncé onstage, this unique special looks beyond the glamour to reveal a vibrant, vulnerable, unforgettable woman."

Beyoncé seemed equally pleased. "HBO has a history of pushing every boundary with class and authenticity," she was quoted as saying. "Some of my favorite shows are on HBO, so I am excited that my film will be part of its bold programming. This film was so personal to me, it had to have the right home."

The film will also explore her life as a mother. Perhaps to practice for her documentary, she took to Tumblr this weekend to post a picture of her daughter, Blue Ivy, who was born Jan. 7.

The Beyoncé film will serve as a companion piece to Ron Howard's documentary about Jay-Z. In September, Howard — an Armonk resident — filmed much of the Made In America music festival that Jay-Z produced in Philadelphia. That movie is slated for release sometime in 2013.

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Tags: Scarsdale , Beyonce , HBO , Jay-Z