Los Angeles, CA. – January 23, 2019 – Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, has acquired the domestic rights to “The Maestro,” a dramatic biopic about famed composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, directed by Adam Cushman, written by C.V. Herst and produced by David J.Phillips.
It stars Xander Berkeley (“The Walking Dead”), Leo Marks (“The Last Tycoon”), Sarah Clarke (“Twilight,” “24”), Jon Polito (“The Big Lebowski”), Mackenzie Astin (“The Magicians”), Joelle Sechaud (“Milky Way”), William Russ (“American History X”), Jonathan Cherry (“Final Destination 2”), Michael Johnston (“Teen Wolf”), David J. Phillips (“Amateur Night”), Christopher Redman (“God Friended Me”), Raul S. Julia (“The Hoax”), Kim Bubbs (“The Thing”), Lucas Elliot Eberl (“Letters from Iwo Jima”), Bobby Campo (“The Final Destination”), Kristin Gutoskie (“The Vampire Diaries”) and Alex Essoe (“Starry Eyes”).
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco was a highly notable composer of over 200 Hollywood films in the 1940s and 1950s. Often receiving zero credit for his work, Mario went on to mentor some of our greatest film composers including John Williams, Randy Newman, Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith, and Andre Previn. The film is based on letters that examine Tedesco’s teachings and his relationship with student Jerry Herst (played by newcomer Leo Marks), focusing on both the finer points of art and expression, as well as the realities of post-war Hollywood.
“The Maestro” won several awards on the festival circuit including the Audience Award for Best Film and the Jury Award for Best Actor (Xander Berkeley) at the Tallgrass Film Festival. The film also received Best Film awards from Classical Arts Film Festival in Napa Valley, Lake Charles Film Festival, Mexico International Film Festival, and the Youth Jury Award for Best Film at the Rhode Island Film Festival. Xander received the Best Actor Award from The Oaxaca Filmfest and The Albuquerque Film and Music Experience. “The Maestro” marks the last film for the late Jon Polito.
The deal was negotiated by Ira Goldklang and Rachel Koehler on behalf of Freestyle, and Sean Pope and Tiffany Boyle from Ramo Law on behalf of the filmmakers.
“The Maestro” will hit theaters February 15th, then DVD and all digital platforms February 19th.
