"Maestro"

[NickNack]

They've been talking about it for years. Finally, the movie/documentary is being released next month in the U.S. If any of our Euro friends have seen this I'd love to hear your comments. Here's the latest email I received:

Press release: for immediate release

THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED DOCUMENTARY


MAESTRO


OPENS
FEBRUARY 27 - QUAD CINEMA – NYC
MARCH 10 - REGALS CINEMAS – SOUTH BEACH
APRIL 2 - LEAMMLE THEATERS – L.A.



MAESTRO, directed by Cuban born, NY raised, Josell Ramos, is the first documentary to explore the roots of the Underground Dance Music Culture. It tells the story of how a group of people found refuge and a call for life outside the mainstream, what evolved was a scene that set the ground work for what was to come in Dance Music Culture worldwide.

Maestro reaches into the late 60’s till the early 80’s when NYC gave birth to this culture. It’s a film 4 years in the making. It centers on the pivotal pioneers behind exclusive spaces where people went to party and set free the many social restrictions of the time, allowing those of different genders and colors to party together.

Francis Grasso, Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles, David Mancuso and Nicky Siano tell their tale of friendship and tragedy. The “rules” of creative freedom set by these individuals paved the groundwork for DJs and Clubs worldwide.
Maestro, with never before seen footage of pivotal clubs like the Paradise Garage, The Loft and The Gallery will take you into a visual trip through the underground as we knew it.

For a long time the Dance Music Scene has been only associated to criminality and drug abuse. Finally, here’s a film that takes a different route and prospective to underline the importance of this cultural movement.

After the European release in London, Manchester and Switzerland, Maestro opens in New York City on February 27th at the Quad Cinema, in South Beach on March 10 at Regals Cinemas and in Los Angeles, on April 2 at Leammle Theaters.

Starring: Larry Levan, David Mancuso, Francis Grasso, Nicky Siano, Francois K, Danny Tenaglia, “Little Louie” Vega, Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Tom Moulton, Patricia Field…)

For more info log on http://maestro-documentary.com



“An important contribution…the cinematic equivalent
of an archeological dig”
- Jamie Russell BBC Film

“4 stars, Rapturous– an invaluable examination...
That formed the basis of modern dance music."
- Jason Anderson, EYE weekly June 2003 (Toronto)

“very special, fascinating…
but most importantly it carries brutal emotion”
- Deejay Magazine (Spain)


Press Contact:
Gaia Somasca gaia@maestro-documentary.com


http://maestro-documentary.com

[K-Bee]

Yeah I'm still waiting for this one to show up either in theaters or on DVD over here. Apparantly it came out in the rest of Europe but as always, we're getting screwed here :x

[the whistler]

[quote Maestro, with never before seen footage of pivotal clubs like the Paradise Garage, The Loft and The Gallery will take you into a visual trip through the underground as we knew it.[/quote]

I can't wait!! bring it on!!
Finally I can see footage of what most of
you guy's are talking about :D :D :D
I hope they release it in Australia
They bloody better :cry:

[ladyboygrimsby]

Yeah I'm still waiting for this one to show up either in theaters or on DVD over here. Apparantly it came out in the rest of Europe but as always, we're getting screwed here :x

K-Bee it never really came out in Europe. They've been showing selected screenings of it. So far, I think there have been two screenings in the UK, one in London (which I attended) and another in Manchester. It's never seen a full release anywhere so far as I can tell.

[K-Bee]

Yeah I'm still waiting for this one to show up either in theaters or on DVD over here. Apparantly it came out in the rest of Europe but as always, we're getting screwed here :x

K-Bee it never really came out in Europe. They've been showing selected screenings of it. So far, I think there have been two screenings in the UK, one in London (which I attended) and another in Manchester. It's never seen a full release anywhere so far as I can tell.

Oh my...this is not good news. Now i'm defenitely not keeping my hopes up anymore. Sadly this appears to be to "specialist" for the averige movie theather :(

[NickNack]

K-Bee it never really came out in Europe. They've been showing selected screenings of it. So far, I think there have been two screenings in the UK, one in London (which I attended) and another in Manchester. It's never seen a full release anywhere so far as I can tell.

Hi 'LBG',

May I ask what you thought of the film? Quality as well as content? I'm really curious as it involves so many people I know and worked with.
Thanks,
Nicky

[ladyboygrimsby]

It was disappointing. I'd really looked forward to it so long, too. I felt the film lacked direction. Some of the interviews were poorly conducted (a lack of experience on the part of the interviewers, I would guess) and badly lit to the point where you couldn't actually tell whether the film they were using was B&W or colour in places.

When I came out I wasn't sure whether I'd seen a movie about the Paradise Garage or about the Loft or about disco or about the history of dance music. I wish them well and I will purchase the DVD when it comes out, but I'm caught between wanting to express enthusiasm for someone who went out and tried to do something on a largely ignored piece of musical history and feeling disappointed that the end result could have been much better.

[NickNack]

It was disappointing. I'd really looked forward to it so long, too. I felt the film lacked direction. Some of the interviews were poorly conducted (a lack of experience on the part of the interviewers, I would guess) and badly lit to the point where you couldn't actually tell whether the film they were using was B&W or colour in places.

When I came out I wasn't sure whether I'd seen a movie about the Paradise Garage or about the Loft or about disco or about the history of dance music. I wish them well and I will purchase the DVD when it comes out, but I'm caught between wanting to express enthusiasm for someone who went out and tried to do something on a largely ignored piece of musical history and feeling disappointed that the end result could have been much better.

You're expressing what I feared since first hearing about this. I was so excited it was being done but I could tell there was no 'major backing' for this project. Still, I'll do my best to get to New York when it hits 'The Quad' cinema. Want to support it regardless.

[K-Bee]

It was disappointing. I'd really looked forward to it so long, too. I felt the film lacked direction. Some of the interviews were poorly conducted (a lack of experience on the part of the interviewers, I would guess) and badly lit to the point where you couldn't actually tell whether the film they were using was B&W or colour in places.

When I came out I wasn't sure whether I'd seen a movie about the Paradise Garage or about the Loft or about disco or about the history of dance music. I wish them well and I will purchase the DVD when it comes out, but I'm caught between wanting to express enthusiasm for someone who went out and tried to do something on a largely ignored piece of musical history and feeling disappointed that the end result could have been much better.

Most of the viewer rewievs at IMBD are expressing the same as you LBG. Maybe we aren't really missing out on that much after all.