Greenwich Entertainment Acquires U.S. Rights to Gustavo Dudamel-Themed Documentary “¡Viva Maestro!”

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Gustavo Dudamel‘s life story is headed to the big screen…

Greenwich Entertainment has acquired U.S. distribution rights to writer and director Ted Braun’s documentary ¡Viva Maestro!, which shines a spotlight on the Grammy-winning Venezuelan conductor and violinist.

A theatrical release for the film, hailing from Participant Media, is planned for later this year. Cinephil is also repping foreign sales on the film at EFM.

¡Viva Maestro! explores the artistry, beliefs and determination of Dudamel, who serves as the music director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The documentary is an exploration of Dudamel’s imagination and genius as he responds to the unexpected and daunting obstacles of social unrest in his homeland of Venezuela with powerful music-making and an innovative and triumphant concert that celebrates the power of art to renew and unite.

Braun followed Dudamel on a tour with the world’s greatest orchestras in Los Angeles, Berlin, Mexico City, Hamburg, Berlin and Santiago, Chile.

¡Viva Maestro! features the music of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Shostakovich and Mexico’s greatest living composer, Arturo Márquez.

Gustavo Dudamel Promotes Musical Dreams in Hispanic Heritage Month Video

Posted on September 23, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Gustavo Dudamel is inspiring children to embrace the music in their hearts…

The 36-year-old celebrated Venezuelan conductor and violinist joined the animated characters of Disney Jr.’s Latina princess series Elena of Avalor for a new Hispanic Heritage Month spot aimed at encouraging children’s musical dreams.

“Music is my life,” the L.A. Philharmonic music director tells kids in the promo, which started airing on Friday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. “The most important thing is that I have a chance to share with people.”

When asked by a young musician how he became a conductor, the orchestra leader said he would play pretend that he was a conductor when he was growing up, arranging his toy soldiers like orchestra musicians. “I was 11 years old and the conductor was late, and I went to the podium and I started to conduct,” Dudamel recalled, making it sound easy — yet, hopefully inspiring other aspiring conductors to take the podium themselves.

Angelique Kidjo to Perform Celia Cruz Tribute at the Hollywood Bowl

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Prepare to be bowled over by Celia Cruz’s music…

Singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo is set to perform a special tribute to the late Cuban singer, who passed away in July 23 at the age of 77, at the Hollywood Bowl.

Celia Cruz

It’s all part of the 2017 Jazz at the Bowl summer series, kicking off July 19, featuring eight Wednesday evening concerts.

Cruz is hailed as the most popular Latin artist of the 20th century, earning 23 gold albums. She was a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. She was renowned internationally as the “Queen of Salsa“, “La Guarachera de Cuba“, as well as The Queen of Latin Music.

Guided by Herbie Hancock, the L.A. Philharmonic’s creative chair for jazz, this year’s series features performances by a diverse lineup of established and emerging artists, including Kidjo’s Cruz tribute on August 9.

The lineup also includes performances by Jill Scott and the Robert Glasper Experiment, Andra Day, Leslie Odom Jr. and more in a salute to Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie, and Steve Winwood with Mavis Staples.

The complete 2017 Jazz at the Bowl schedule, as well as ticket information, is available at www.HollywoodBowl.com.

Arvelo’s “The Liberator,” Starring Edgar Ramirez, Selected as Venezuela’s Oscar Submission for Foreign Language Film

Posted on September 6, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Alberto Arvelo is one step closer to a possible Oscar nomination…

The Venezuelan filmmaker’s latest project The Liberator has been selected to be the country’s submission to the Foreign Language Film category for the next Academy Awards, according to the Venezuelan paper Ultimas Noticias.

The paper reports that a selection of Venezuelan film industry professionals voted on Arvelo’s film earlier this week.

The voting was reportedly divided between The Liberator and Mariana Rondon’s indie drama Bad Hair, winner of the Golden Shell at the San Sebastian Film Festival last year.

An absolute rarity for local standards in terms of production value, The Liberator is a $50 million co-production between Spain and Venezuela about military and political leader Simon Bolivar, who commanded an army that freed a great part of the region from Spanish colonialism back in the 19th century, and is regarded as a forefather of South America, together with Argentine Jose de San Martin.

The epic period piece stars Venezuela’s most high profile international actor Edgar Ramírez (Carlos, Zero Dark Thirty) as Bolivar, with a score by the L. A. Philharmonic’s music director Gustavo Dudamel, and a script by Timothy J. Sexton, who co-wrote Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men.

The film’s unusually international crew also features Spanish cinematographer Xavi Gimenez (The Machinist, Agora), production designer Paul D. Austerberry (Twilight Saga: Eclipse), costume designer Sonia Grande (Midnight in Paris) and editor Tariq Anwar (American Beauty, The King’s Speech).

The Liberator opened in Venezuela on July 24, selling more than 500,000 tickets to date.

The film is scheduled for US release on October 3.

First Look: Ramírez as Simón Bolívar

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Édgar Ramírez’s transformation into one of the one of the most influential politicians in Latin American history is complete…

The the 35-year-old Venezuelan actor has completed his work as the star of the sweeping historical epic Libertador, which tells the story of Venezuelan military and political leader Simón Bolívar.

Directed by Alberto Arvelo, Libertador follows the life of Bolivar, who was instrumental in Latin America’s struggle for independence from the Spanish empire.

Along with portraying Bolívar, Ramírez will serve as an executive producer on the project, which is considered the largest independent South American production to date.

Libertador, now in post-production.

Meanwhile, L.A. Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel—who helped kick off the London 2012 Festival with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra—is scoring the Spanish, French and English-language pic in his feature film debut.

Ramirez, who earned critical acclaim for his performance in Carlos, will next appear on the big screen in U.S. theaters in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty, which opens in December.

In France, he’s currently in theaters in An Open Heart, starring opposite Juliette Binoche

Ramirez to Portray El Libertador Simon Bolivar

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Édgar Ramírez is preparing to take on another real-life role…

Following his award-winning performance as Carlos the Jackal in 2010 biopic Carlos, the 35-year-old Venezuelan actor will portray Simón Bolívar in Libertador.

Bolívar was instrumental in Latin America’s struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire. Told from his point of view, the film will trace his expeditions, epic military campaigns and vision to unify South America. The Venezuelan military and political leader is considered one of the most influential politicians in American history.

Ramírez, who most recently starred in Wrath of the Titans, will also serve as an executive producer on the film project.

Along with Ramírez in the title role, the cast includes Danny Huston, María Valverde, Imanol Arias and Billy Elliot’s Gary Lewis.

Venezuelan filmmaker Alberto Arvelo, who directed Ramírez in his last feature, Cyrano Fernandez, is set to helm the project.

Meanwhile, L.A. Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel—who will be helping kick off the London 2012 Festival with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra—is scoring the Spanish, French and English-language pic.

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