Bernstein’s Wall - Director Douglas Tirola
From Cinemafile · 24:09
Show by Mike Kaspar
Douglas Tirola’s thrilling documentary portrait of famed composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, BERNSTEIN”S WALL, artistically tells the story of an immigrant son who became a phenomenon as the visionary and exuberant conductor of the New York Philharmonic, and, then for decades, the face of classical music for the nation. Bernstein joyfully responded to the clamor of his times, matching his passion for music with an unyielding commitment to political engagement. Tirola also reveals a husband and father wrestling with what Bernstein called "his demons" of his hidden sexuality. We see Bernstein as a tireless participant in the anti-war and civil rights movements and a factor in the de escalation of tensions between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. Incredibly Tirola uses Bernstein’s own voice almost exclusively to turn the maestro's life story into a call to action for artists and those that believe in the arts to create change in today's society with the goal of bringing freedom and respect to all people.” Director Douglas Tirola to talk about the life and times of Leonard Bernstein and how he used Bernstein’s own words to tell this intimate About the filmmaker - Director Douglas Tirola is an award-winning director and producer whose documentaries have been distributed around the world and have premiered at some of the most prestigious film festivals including Sundance, Telluride, CPH:DOX, HotDocs, Full Frame, Berlin, Tribeca, and SXSW. Douglas just directed a four-part documentary series for MGM+/Amazon, NEW WAVE, about the music movement that brought alternative culture into the mainstream. It premieres November 22. His previous directing credits include BLOODROOT (DOC NYC, Grasshopper Film), DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD (New York Times Critics Pick, Magnolia Pictures, A&E Indie Film), James Beard Award nominated HEY BARTENDER (Netflix), and Grand Jury Award Winning ALL IN – THE POKER MOVIE (Showtime). His first documentary as a director, AN OMAR BROADWAY FILM, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival where it was acquired by Sheila Nevins and Nancy Abraham on behalf of HBO. Douglas has produced over a dozen films including eight with Robert Greene. Their collaborations include PROCESSION (Netflix) which was shortlisted for the 2022 Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature, BISBEE ’17 (Sundance, New York Times “Ten Best Films of 2018”, POV), KATE PLAYS CHRISTINE (Sundance Award Winner) and Gotham Award nominated ACTRESS. He also produced Crayton Robey’s MAKING THE BOYS (New York Times Critic’s Pick, Berlin, Tribeca) about the play and film “The Boys in the Band.” Douglas has also worked as a screenwriter for Paramount, Universal, Fox, Warner Brothers, Sony and New Line. Earlier in his career, he worked on films with directors Robert Benton and Mike Nichols. His first job in the film business was as a production assistant on the movie WHEN HARRY MET SALLY... He is the president of 4th Row Films and is represented by William Morris Endeavor.
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