Jesus Is King (film)

Jesus Is King
A promotional poster for Jesus Is King, showing a keyhole that is zoomed out from.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNick Knight
Written byKanye West
Based onJesus Is King
by Kanye West
Produced by
  • Jonathan Josell
  • Kanye West
Starring
Music byKanye West
Sunday Service Choir
Production
company
Distributed byIMAX
Release date
  • October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
Running time
38 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.1 million

Jesus Is King is a 2019 American experimental concert short film written by rapper Kanye West and directed by Nick Knight. Featuring gospel songs arranged by West and material from his ninth studio album of the same name, it also serves as an album companion piece. Primarily shown through a circular eye and features differing shots of the Sunday Service Choir performing music, as well as various Bible verses, West only appears briefly and performs his material towards the end.

Jesus Is King was shot at Roden Crater of Arizona's Painted Desert in the summer of 2019, intended as a tribute to the Sunday Service Choir. West shared two trailers in October 2019 and that same month, a screening was held in Manhattan. The premiere occurred exclusively at IMAX theaters across the world on October 25, accompanying the album's release. $1.1 million was grossed in total and the screenings sold out in 24 cities. The film received lukewarm reviews from critics, who generally highlighted the Sunday Service Choir's contributions. Some praised the location and West's lack of focus on himself, though numerous critics observed an unclear concept.

  1. ^ Frank, Allegra (October 25, 2019). "Kanye West's Jesus Is King album and IMAX experience: an unfinished pair". Vox. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2022.