In January 2023, Toronto director Larry Weinstein was approached by Wolfgang Bergmann, the CEO of ARTE Germany, to make a documentary commemorating the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Despite the significance of the project, Weinstein was initially hesitant because many films about the Ninth Symphony already existed.
However, he soon had a breakthrough idea to feature the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra—composed of war refugees and founded by conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson in 2022—to perform Beethoven’s iconic piece.
The documentary, titled Beethoven’s Nine: Ode to Humanity, not only features this orchestra but also examines how various influential figures, like Leonard Bernstein and the Polish pop star Brodka, relate to Beethoven and his music.
Another key figure in the documentary is American composer Gabriella Lena Frank, who, despite significant hearing loss, has deeply engaged with Beethoven’s legacy.
Unexpectedly, while making the film, a personal tragedy struck Weinstein when his sister and her husband were attacked during a conflict, leading Weinstein to consider abandoning the project. Instead, he chose to continue as a form of personal therapy.
The movie evolved to include his personal experiences, making it not only a historical exploration but also a deeply personal narrative.
This documentary marks a departure for Weinstein as it breaks the conventional approach of his previous works by incorporating elements of his own life and emotions.
‘Beethoven’s Nine’ Director Larry Weinstein Set Out to Make a Doc About the Famed Symphony — but Ended Up With His Most Personal Film Yet (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/iCSFmTifnu
— 140 Reviews (@OneFortyReviews) April 18, 2024
The film premiered at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto on April 28 and is produced by Riddle Films and 3B-Produktion, with notable contributions from Sarah Polley as an executive producer. Broadcast rights for the film are held by several international channels, but not in North America. Source
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