Bradley Coopermay be best known for his work in front of the camera, but his latest filmMaestrowill see him return to the director’s chair, in hissecond directorial effortfollowing 2018’s acclaimed hitA Star Is Born. This time, however, the actor/director will be aided by filmmaking royalty, asMartin Scorseseserves as a producer on the film. With the first trailer having now been released, audiences are able to get their first look at the film, ahead of its world premiere at the80th Venice International Film Festivalon September 2.
Cooper also stars in the upcoming project alongsideCarey Mulligan, asMaestroexplores the lifelong relationship between legendary composer, conductor, and pianistLeonard Bernstein, and his wifeFelicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein; the film promises to be a love letter to life and art, while at its core an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love. While the composer never publicly confirmed his sexuality, the film will also explore the musician’s alleged relationships with men, asMatt Bomerstars as a clarinet player, and one of Bernstein’s lovers.
The film’s cast also includesMaya Hawke, who appears as Bernstein’s daughter Jamie, whileSarah Silvermanstars as the composer’s sister Shirley.Michael Urieis also part of the cast, as dancer and choreographer Jerome Robbins.Gideon Glick,Sam Nivola,Miriam Shor, andAlexa Swintonalso star.
Spielberg Brought Cooper Onto the Project
While Scorsese was initially slated to helm the project, he stepped down to direct his filmThe Irishman. Despite this, the legendary filmmaker remained attached to the project as a producer, alongsideTodd PhillipsandSteven Spielberg. Cooper revealed that it was the latterwho brought him onto the film, as he previously toldVarietythat “I wanted to be a conductor since I was a kid. I was obsessed with it, asked Santa Claus for a baton when I was 8. I always knew that Steven Spielberg knew that I had this obsession with conducting. He had this biopic idea and was talking to me about potentially acting in it.” He continued, “But I had just been working onA Star Is Born. And I said, ‘Listen, all I want to do is write and direct movies. I always felt like I could play a conductor, but may I research the material and see if I can write it and direct it? Would you let me do that?'”
Maestrowill first debut at the Venice Film Festival next month, before hitting select theaters on November 22. The film will then be released on Netflix on December 20. Check out the trailer for the upcoming film below:
