Documentary on Conductor Gustavo Dudamel to be Released

Titled “¡VIVA MAESTRO!,” the Greenwich Films documentary about the Venezuelan conductor will also see a wider theatrical release after the showings in NYC and L.A. from April 8.

The documentary follows L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra music director Gustavo Dudamel’s international tours which became disrupted by deadly protests across his native Venezuela in 2017. The movie will explore Dudamel’s artistry, beliefs, and determination during a period of political and social unrest.

At the time, several of his concerts and tours with ensembles in Venezuela were canceled by Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro due to statements made by Dudamel condemning the country’s escalating violence.

From the footage of Dudamel’s response and decisions during that period, "¡Viva Maestro!" presents an uplifting and timely telling of his story, showing the power of music-making and art to renew and unite.  

According to deadline, film director Theodore “Ted” Braun documented Dudamel on a tour with orchestras across Los Angeles, Berlin, Mexico City, Hamburg, Berlin, and Santiago, Chile — featuring music by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Shostakovich, and Mexico’s renowned living composer, Arturo Márquez.

The producers include Braun, Steve Tisch, and Dean Schramm. Executive producers are Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann from the Participant production company.

Dudamel was appointed as music director of the L.A. Philharmonic in 2009 at the age of 27. He had gained international attention when he won the inaugural Bamberger Symphoniker Gustav Mahler Competition in 2004. He later served as music director of the Gothenburg Symphony from 2007 to 2012 and is now its honorary conductor. His numerous accolades include the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.