One of the hardest-working talents in Hollywood, Ethan Hawke is currently taking part in the awards run for Boyhood, after stopping by the fall festival circuit for a handful of films (one of them being his next directorial effort), as well as having five additional projects in the can. Nearly ten years after getting behind the camera for The Hottest State, Hawke’s next feature takes on a documentary form, tracking the life and career of pianist Seymour Bernstein. Now, after premiering last fall at New York Film Festival, Seymour: An Introduction has debuted its first trailer ahead of a release next month.
We said in our review, “More crucial to An Introduction than Bernstein’s personality, endearing as it is, is the music he plays. One need not listen to Bernstein and others waxing metaphysical about the spiritual powers of music to appreciate Brahms, Chopin, Beethoven, and Schubert as we hear them, all beautifully timed and synced courtesy of editor Anna Gustavi and mixers Timothy Cleary & Guillermo Pena-Tapia. It’s easy (and not entirely unfair) to contrast the anti-commercialist message of Bernstein and Hawke with the crowd-pleasing style and straightforward structure of the film, but those looking for an aesthetic and intellectual challenge have come to the wrong film. Those who simply wish to be uplifted and moved, much like the admiring faces of the attendees at the film’s end (count Mark Ruffalo among them), however, will be delighted.”
Check out the trailer and poster below, as well as a recent one-hour conversation with Hawke:
Meet Seymour Bernstein: a virtuoso pianist, veteran New Yorker, and true original who gave up a successful concert career to teach music. In this wonderfully warm, witty, and intimate tribute from his friend, Ethan Hawke, Seymour shares unforgettable stories from his remarkable life and eye-opening words of wisdom, as well as insightful reflections on art, creativity, and the search for fulfillment. A “poignant guide to life” (Indiewire) and an engaging exploration on the dedication, perseverance, and fortitude essential to creating both art and a rewarding life, Seymour: An Introduction will leave audiences uplifted and inspired.
Seymour: An Introduction opens on March 13th.