Documentary showing the return to his native Russia of Mstislav Rostropovitch, includes extensive performance footage and coverage of political and personal matters for the cellist. This film is an account, in cinema verite style, of what happened when Rostropovich, along with his wife, the renowned soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, returned to the country that had stripped them of all rights to perform, demolishing their careers because they had dared to shelter and defend Solzhenitsyn. ACCOLADES: Jury Prize, Montreal; Emmy Award
John Williams & Steven Spielberg – The Adventure Continues
A documentary by Laurent Bouzereau including new interviews with Steven Spielberg and John Williams! Over the 90-year history of sound film, there have been a handful of instances where a director and a composer have formed a longtime partnership that resulted in a series of classical scores, creating music that stands the test of time. None, however, have been as long or as fruitful as the 43-year collaboration of Steven Spielberg and John Williams. None have encompassed such a wide range of subject matter or, more significantly, have had such an enormous impact on worldwide popular culture. From the ominous shark signature of Jaws to the five-note alien greeting of Close Encounters of the Third Kind; from the heroic march of Raiders of the Lost Ark to the moving themes for Schindler’s List the music Williams has written for more than two dozen Spielberg projects has not only served them brilliantly but entered the wider public consciousness.
Magic Moments of Music – Maria Callas & Tosca
The beginning of 1964 held a great surprise for the music world: Maria Callas returns to the opera stage as prima donna. Her “Tosca” at the Royal Opera House becomes a sensation. Not even the Beatles received more press coverage. All this, for an artist whose glorious career was said to be over, with the singer herself passing over to legend. It is no longer her performances, but her scandals that, are dominating the headlines. Unlucky in love with her billionaire boyfriend Aristotle Onassis, Maria Callas wants to show them all that the title of ”Primadonna assoluta” is still rightfully hers. On condition that famed stage director Franco Zeffirelli takes on the production, the exceptional vocalist is prepared to take on the role of Tosca. Her fans queue outside the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden for four, even five nights. To get their hands on the sought after tickets, they spend the freezing winter nights in sleeping bags and on fold up chairs. A British broadcaster has recorded the opera’s second act. It is one of the most dramatic acts in opera history – to save the artist Cavaradossi from his torturer; Tosca ends up murdering the chief of police Scarpia. The film recording is one of the few opportunities to see Maria Callas on stage and witness her emotional dramatics and vocal competence.
To Tulsa and Back – On Tour with J.J. Cale
He was the most unpretentious man in pop music. Success seemed to come to him, only when he wanted it and his definition of success was unlike any other performers. He made a fortune writing songs, but lived for years in a trailer hiding from the public. All of his records have reached cult status. They called him the Howard Hughes of the music world. A legend wrapped in mystery. Eric Clapton had huge hits with Cale’s After Midnight and Cocaine. Johnny Cash, the Allman Brothers, Brian Ferry, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana, Deep Purple and many more covered his songs. For Eric Clapton Cale is the person he admires most and the only other musician he would like to be. Cale created the Tulsa Sound, a laid back mix of Rock`n’ Roll, Country, Blues and Jazz and is one of the most influential artists of the last three decades. Dire Straits admit to have built up their sound upon his laid back Blues-Rock. Among his devoted fans are musicians of all generations as Willy Nelson, Tom Petty and Widespread Panic. He is the musician of the musicians. For the first time, Cale agreed to have a film made on him. The documentary follows him and his band through six American states on his To Tulsa and Back Tour.
John Lee Hooker – That’s my Story
In this loving, endearing portrait of the legendary, passed away blues artist John Lee Hooker, his life is described by himself, his closest friends and music colleagues, from his birthplace in Mississippi following the ups and downs of his career to the big successes. That’s My Story is also the title of a famous Hooker song. Its text implies many autobiographic elements. It was his way to compensate life through music. The film accompanies him musically through the last six decades by using material from the archives to the latest recordings. The story of Hooker’s life is at the same time the history of Blues and its influence on British and American music from the fifties to the seventies. With hits like Boogie Chillen, Crawling King Snake, I’m in the Mood and Boom Boom he became an idol for whole generations of music makers. Especially for bands from Great Britain in the early sixties, like the Animals, The Rolling Stones and for musicians like Van Morrison, John Mayall and Eric Clapton, in the US for Bob Dylan. For the groups Canned Heat, J.Geils Band and Santana he was even something like a father figure. His music style has always differed from the style of other Blues musicians. Maybe this is the reason he has fans in every generation over the last sixty years.
All you need is Klaus
A journey into the incredible life of Klaus Voormann. An inside view into the history of Rock’n’Roll. A story of friendship, art and music. Klaus Voormann was on the frontlines of the pop era’s meteoric rise. His friendship with the Beatles has lasted ever since their joint Hamburg Days. This is his story. The film follows him to the most important places of his career in England, the US and to friends like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Carly Simon, Van Dyke Parks, Joe Walsh, Randy Newman, Richard Perry, Jim Keltner, Trevor Lawrence, Twiggy, The Manfreds, Olivia Harrison. We meet stars like we’ve never seen them before and witness new and extraordinary music sessions.
Lady You Shot Me – Life and Death of Sam Cooke
The documentary “Lady You Shot Me – Life and Death of Sam Cooke” tells the story of the short but equally influential life of one of the most important artists of the 1950s and 60s: Sam Cooke. It takes a particularly close look at the mysterious circumstances surrounding his violent death. Was he killed in self-defence, as officially claimed? Or was it murder, as his family, friends and conspiracy theorists believe? A question that is worth asking, even if it ultimately remains unresolved. Because simply looking into the circumstances of his death, controversial to this day, affords insights into the social context during the founding years of pop music, which Sam Cooke defied more forcefully than any other black musician of his day.
I’m a creative animal – Barbara Hannigan
She crosses boundaries and loves to explore new territory. Barbara Hannigan is one of the most fascinating and multi-facetted artistic personalities of our time. She sets new standards as a singer, conductor, and performance artist. The intimate portrait “I’m a creative animal” takes the viewer into the world of an exceptional musician – a world of both passion and discipline. Her performances possess a breathtaking intensity because of her exquisite vocal technique and virtuosity, musical and theatrical expressivity, and uncompromising engagement.
Classical Music for Everyone? A documentary about the popularization of classical music
Although the aesthetics of staging and broadcasting classical music haven’t changed much within the past 30 years, a parallel universe driven by a new event culture, marketing strategies and stardom has developed. With the first CD in 1982 as the starting point of the “popularization of classical music” the phenomenon found ist peak in the 1990s with the overwhelming success of the “Three Tenors.” Günter Atteln’s documentary “Classical Music for Everyone?” offers a close look at the origin and development of classical music presentation. Interviews with insiders in the field provide a unique insight and outlook on the future of this genre.
Speak The Music – Robert Mann
Robert Mann has been a legendary force in music for seventy years. As founder and first violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet in 1946, he brought an astonishing new sense of energy to chamber music worldwide. “Speak the music” traces Mann’s career as performer, and as composer and devoted teacher. It includes performances of Haydn and Beethoven quartets, as well as Bartok and Elliott Carter, whom the Juilliard Quartet championed. The film also highlights Mann working with young quartets in his typically no-holds-barred master classes. Appearing in the film are Seiji Ozawa, Elliott Carter, and Itzhak Perlman.