Bradley Cooper’s ‘Maestro’ to Close AFI Fest This October

Bradley Cooper’s ‘Maestro’ is gearing up to be a major highlight of this year’s AFI Fest, and it’s not hard to see why. Directed by Cooper himself, this Netflix gem has already made waves after its successful premiere at the Venice International Film Festival. But now, it’s set to close the AFI Fest, making it a grand finale that film enthusiasts won’t want to miss.

So, mark your calendars for October 29th when ‘Maestro’ takes the stage at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theater to wrap up the 2023 AFI Fest. This follows hot on the heels of its North American premiere on October 2nd, exactly one month after its world debut in Venice on September 2nd, where it received a thunderous ovation and widespread acclaim.

The buzz surrounding ‘Maestro’ is well-deserved. It’s a biopic about the legendary Leonard Bernstein, celebrated for his contributions to Broadway musicals and iconic films like ‘West Side Story,’ ‘Candide,’ ‘On The Waterfront,’ and many more. The film also delves into Bernstein’s personal life, particularly his marriage to Felicia Montealegre, portrayed by the talented Carey Mulligan. Alongside Bradley Cooper’s stellar performance as Bernstein, the cast includes standout names like Maya Hawke, Michael Urie, Sarah Silverman, Matt Bomer, and Gadeon Glick.

Cooper wears multiple hats in this project, not only starring but also directing and co-writing the screenplay with Josh Singer. And let’s not forget the heavyweight producers behind ‘Maestro,’ including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Fred Berner, among others.

Bob Gazzale, AFI’s President and CEO, sums it up nicely: “Maestro displays Bradley Cooper’s symphony of talent with the power of a cymbal crash. It is AFI’s honor to shine a light upon this extraordinary work of art on the festival’s closing night.”

But ‘Maestro’ is just the tip of the iceberg at AFI Fest. The festival promises a lineup of other exciting projects, such as the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Leave the World Behind,’ directed by Sam Esmail and featuring a star-studded cast including Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, and Kevin Bacon. This thriller, produced by Esmail and Barack Obama’s Higher Ground production company, is sure to generate its own buzz.

And for lovers of classic cinema, AFI Fest offers a treat with screenings of timeless films like ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,’ ‘The Silence of the Lambs,’ ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ and ‘Vertigo.’

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: some early criticism of Cooper’s appearance in the teaser for ‘Maestro.’ But let’s not judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a film by its teaser. Cooper’s dedication to the role and his talent as an actor are undeniable, and ‘Maestro’ is poised to become one of those enduring classics celebrated at AFI Fest, potentially kickstarting a promising awards season run.

So, cinephiles and music aficionados, keep your eyes peeled for ‘Maestro’ hitting select theaters on November 22nd, followed by its Netflix debut on December 20th. It’s a date you won’t want to miss, and it might just be the crescendo of the cinematic year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Maestro Film

More about Maestro Film

• Maestro Film Official Website
• AFI Fest Official Website
• Leonard Bernstein Biography
• Netflix Official Website
• Venice International Film Festival
• Sam Esmail
• Julia Roberts
• Ethan Hawke
• Mahershala Ali
• Kevin Bacon