The Maestro (2018 film)
 |
| The Maestro | |
|---|---|
 Official poster | |
| Directed by | Adam Cushman |
| Written by | C.V. Herst |
| Produced by | |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Colton Davie |
| Edited by | |
| Music by |
|
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Freestyle Releasing |
Release date | December 8, 2018 |
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,080[1] |
The Maestro is a 2018 American historical drama directed, produced by Adam Cushman and David J. Phillips and written by C.V. Herst, the real-life son of the film's protagonist Jerry Herst. The film features Xander Berkeley as composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, an Italian immigrant who arrived in Los Angeles in the thirties after evading Mussolini's Italy. The Maestro premiered at the Heartland Film Festival in 2017.[2] The film was acquired for distribution by Freestyle Releasing and had a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles.[3][4]
Plot[edit]
After World War II, budding musician Jerry Herst (Leo Marks) returns to Los Angeles for one more go at becoming a successful film composer. In Los Angeles, Herst studies with the famed instructor Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (Xander Berkeley), whose students include John Williams, Andre Previn, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle and Jerry Goldsmith. Herst, who already had a hit under his belt, 1937's "So Rare", struggles between family pressure and his musical calling, as Tedesco teaches him what it means to be a successful artist. The film also features actor Jon Polito as fictional MGM executive Herbert Englehardt in what would be Polito's final performance.
Cast[edit]
- Xander Berkeley as Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
- Leo Marks as Jerry Herst
- Mackenzie Astin as Sam Herst
- Sarah Clarke as Clara Castelnuovo-Tedesco
- William Russ as Abe Herst
- Jon Polito as Herbert Englehardt
- Jonathan Cherry as Ray
- Raul S. Julia as Dave
- Bobby Campo as Gene Kelly
- Joelle Sechaud as Mrs. Stella
- David J. Phillips as Jess Oppenheimer
- Alex Essoe as Cyd Charisse
- Kristen Gutoskie as Estelle Oppenheimer
- Lenny Von Dohlen as Luc
- Michael Johnston as Pietro Castelnuovo-Tedesco
- Omar Doom as Stanley Kubrick
Release[edit]
The film played several festivals before its official release, receiving the Audience Award at the Tallgrass Film Festival in 2018,[5][6] the Jury Award at the Borrego Springs Film Festival in 2019,[7] the Silver Palm award at the 2018 Mexico International Film Festival,[8] and the Youth Film Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in 2018.[9] Actor Xander Berkeley received "Best Actor" awards at the 2017 Oaxaca Film Festival and the 2018 Albuquerque Film & Music Experience.[10][11]
On Rotten Tomatoes it has a rating of 83% based on reviews from 6 critics.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ The Maestro (2018) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-09-14
- ^ "Special Events, Pavilion and Premieres Schedule". Heartland Film. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ The Maestro (2018) - IMDb, retrieved 2020-09-14
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (2019-01-18). "Xander Berkeley Pic 'The Maestro' Scores Freestyle Deal; Giant Pictures Acquires Feminist Thriller 'The Bellwether'". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "Tallgrass Film Association". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "Tallgrass International Film Festival (2018)". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "The WINNERS!". THE BSFF. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "Mexico International Film Festival (2018)". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "2018 RIIFF Awards". www.film-festival.org. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "Xander Berkeley". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "2019 AWARD WINNERS". AFMX. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "The Maestro (2019)". Retrieved 2020-09-14.
