Taglines: Find out what’s possible if you never give up.
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never is the inspiring true story and rare inside look at the rise of Justin from street performer in the small town of Stratford, Ontario to internet phenomenon to global super star culminating with a dream sold out show at the famed Madison Square Garden in 3D.
The camera follows Justin Bieber during the ten days leading up to his August, 2010, sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. Footage of these ten days of concerts, rehearsals, and down time with boyhood friends, his mom, and his entourage is inter-cut with home movies, old photos, and interviews showing a musical prodigy who loves to perform, comes to the attention of an Atlanta agent via YouTube, impresses Usher, and rockets to international stardom soon after his 15th birthday. His manager emphasizes the importance of social media and of Justin’s work ethic and personality in making him a star; the camera emphasizes Bieber’s look. His mom and grandparents shine.
On August 24, 2010, on Twitter, Bieber and Chu announced that fans could enter a contest to be a part of the movie by sending a home video singing Bieber’s “That Should Be Me”, or they should “Show us how ‘U Smile’ ” by sending in a photo or video. The contest lasted for twenty-four hours.
On September 1, 2010, filming took place at his concert at Madison Square Garden for scenes for the film, and Bieber donned white and purple attire, his tour colors.
Bieber performed his set list, and in addition to opening acts the Sean Kingston and Jessica Jarrell, Iyaz, Boyz II Men, Usher, Miley Cyrus, Ludacris and Jaden Smith appeared and performed songs with the singer. In a review, Jocelyn Vena of MTV News said “Any signs that Bieber had fallen ill only two days before weren’t remotely evident. He turned his swag on for the cameras filming the show for his upcoming film.
In explaining the film’s plot, Chu said that the film’s plot was like a “hyperlink”, unlike other concert films which only saw music and backstage action, but told the story of the rise of his career, and “stories of his life”, using music.
The director further explained, “You know, if he’s talking about his youth and talking about his magnetic smile, you start to hear ‘U Smile’ start to creep in the background and the underscore … you see images from his life, and at the end of that song, the spotlight from the number connects with the spotlight of his tour bus and he goes back into his bed.”
On the film’s direction toward his haters and naysayers, the director commented that the top thing they wanted in the film was “honesty”, explaining “People have a very preconceived notion of Justin Bieber and people can think whatever they want, but we wanted to show the honest other side of Justin.”
At the Los Angeles signing of his novel, Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story, Bieber said that with the film, he wanted to “let people know there’s a lot of people that are discouraging in life and that will tell you you can’t do something, but you just got to remember that the sky’s the limit.”
He went on, explaining, “You’re able to do whatever you set your mind to as long as you remember to keep God first and stay grounded. So I think the movie really explains that, and it’s really inspiring.”
Chu echoed similar sentiments, commenting “Every step, everyone’s always said, ‘No, no, no, no.’ And he’s always said, ‘Yes, yes, yes.’ And that sort of ‘never say never’ idea is conveyed in the trailer.”
According to the director, the “power” of the movie “to help inspire kids to follow their dreams, and anyone really, kid or adult” noting that it could be a “family journey.”
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Justin Bieber, Boys II Men, Miley Cyrus, Sean Kingston, Ludacris, Usher Raymond, Allison Kaye
Production Design by: Devorah Herbert
Cinematography by: Reed Smoot
Film Editing by: Jay Cassidy, Jillian Twigge, Avi Youabian
Costume Design by: Kurt and Bart
Set Decoration by: Lia Roldan
Art Direction by: Stephen Carter
Music by: Deborah Lurie
MPAA Rating: G for general audiences.
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: February 11, 2011
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