Jesus Is King

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. Plot The scenes of Jesus Is King are mostly shown through a circular eye and throughout the film, West's gospel group, the Sunday Service Choir, is shown performing music inside Roden Crater from various angles, while numerous Bible verses are also displayed. A drone shot from above the location appears at the beginning, which gradually pulls away from it. The biblical quote "the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: Repent and believe the gospel" from Mark 1:15 of the Gospel of Mark is displayed, followed by the camera zooming out from inside a keyhole. A bright version of the keyhole then appears and the camera zooms in on it, leading into an oval that slowly changes into the circular eye. The Sunday Service Choir appear first, wearing identical brown costumes as they enter a stone room that the skylight shines on through the roof's natural lens. West walks in alongside the group, though he does not perform initially, and the room is filled with religious ritual and color as the scenes progress. The circular eye shows shots of nature, including mountains, a deer, and a flower. West performs at a late point in Jesus Is King after only appearing briefly, singing "Street Lights" while sweeping the floor with a broom and wearing the same costume as the Sunday Service Choir members.