SEYMOUR: AN INTRODUCTION directed by Ethan Hawke. A Mongrel Media release. 84 minutes. Opens Friday (March 20). Rating: NNNN
Watch online: iTunes
Ethan Hawke’s first documentary is a portrait of Seymour Bernstein, a New York concert pianist who’s given up live performance and devoted himself exclusively to teaching.
The gentle, good-natured Bernstein discusses his life, career and philosophy in a series of conversations that Hawke uses for an inquiry into artistry itself – what it takes to become truly great at something, whether one’s craft is as important as one’s talent (or more so) and whether that talent can excuse an artist’s awful behaviour.
It’s quiet, considered and spellbinding, with a great deal of beautiful music – some of it performed exquisitely by Bernstein himself.
Don’t miss our interview with Hawke and Bernstein here.