'Copying Beethoven'

[Raptured]

The movie is about to open in Brazil [...] with the name "Helping Beethoven" [...] One of the major magazines there has given the ravest review [...]

Hello,

The movie title in Brazil ended as "The secret of Beethoven" (I suppose it´s the girl). It opened in only one theatre here in Rio de Janeiro but now it´s in several theatres, even if it´s not the biggest and more commercial ones. I´ve read 3 reviews in major newspapers and they all quite praised the movie.

Rutradelusasa, I hope you can see it at the movies, certainly it has far more impact than on DVD! Wonderful music, edition and photography, very sensitive movie! And I loved to have a glimpse of his last works, something not common.

Some friends of mine went to see it and they liked it much. I was very happy, because they really aren´t classical music lovers. But I think the movie should warn people (maybe at that message at the end explaining that his works were very influential) that events were based on what we know about LvB but the story is fictional. My friends were very surprised to know that there never was an Anna Holtz! Well, it certainly proves that the movie is very good and credible...

A movie made with lots of love. It really shows!

[Preston]

Stephen, I wanted to ask and tell you a couple of things if you don't mind.

I am not saying that the director of Copying did not do the best job, I think that she probably did an exceptional job, I have been wondering this though. I was wondering what you thought about George Lucas as a director and if you considered him as a choice in directing Copying Beethoven?

I find him to be an excellent director (from what I know about directing) and a good man, who is very into the arts. From what I understand he is into their being good and evil in the world, that is what some of Star Wars is about, he seems like a really smart person, he is called one of the greatest if not the greatest director to ever live, his thoughts towards life and goodness seem to be in place, etc. I imagine that if he got a chance to direct Copying Beethoven he would have put his heart and soul into it... and a lot of his money (for sets, computer graphics, actors, etc). I was wondering what you thought about him and what you thought about him directing Copying Beethoven?

Also, just by watching the scene of Beethoven on his death bed, I feel that Copying Beethoven may be one of the best movies if not the best movie ever made, Star Wars are the other movies that comes to mind. The reason I say this without having seen the whole movie, is because, to me it is like hearing Beethoven and understanding his musical theory or reading a line of Shakespeare, it doesn't take much to realize that those people were the greatest at what they did.

I haven't seen to many movies but almost all of the movies that come out today in my opinion are not good. People may say movies like King Arthur and Troy can compare to Copying Beethoven, I don't feel they come anywhere close, not that Troy and King Arthur weren't good. From watching the scene, I do feel it is a very spiritual and real movie.

I love the line when Beethoven says, "Yes for an instant, in which you can live forever". Would you mind telling what that means to you? To me it means a state of being or mind frame where the feelings and thought are so true and real that for even a second of that mind frame is so clear and sane that you could live forever, something like that.

I also think Ed Harris was the far better choice. I know that some people probably disagree with me but I feel that he is more like Beethoven than Anthony Hopkins, not that he is like Beethoven.

Kind Regards,
Preston

[srivele]

Reply

Stephen, I wanted to ask and tell you a couple of things if you don't mind.

I am not saying that the director of Copying did not do the best job, I think that she probably did an exceptional job, I have been wondering this though. I was wondering what you thought about George Lucas as a director and if you considered him as a choice in directing Copying Beethoven?

I find him to be an excellent director (from what I know about directing) and a good man, who is very into the arts. From what I understand he is into their being good and evil in the world, that is what some of Star Wars is about, he seems like a really smart person, he is called one of the greatest if not the greatest director to ever live, his thoughts towards life and goodness seem to be in place, etc. I imagine that if he got a chance to direct Copying Beethoven he would have put his heart and soul into it... and a lot of his money (for sets, computer graphics, actors, etc). I was wondering what you thought about him and what you thought about him directing Copying Beethoven?

Also, just by watching the scene of Beethoven on his death bed, I feel that Copying Beethoven may be one of the best movies if not the best movie ever made, Star Wars are the other movies that comes to mind. The reason I say this without having seen the whole movie, is because, to me it is like hearing Beethoven and understanding his musical theory or reading a line of Shakespeare, it doesn't take much to realize that those people were the greatest at what they did.

I haven't seen to many movies but almost all of the movies that come out today in my opinion are not good. People may say movies like King Arthur and Troy can compare to Copying Beethoven, I don't feel they come anywhere close, not that Troy and King Arthur weren't good. From watching the scene, I do feel it is a very spiritual and real movie.

I love the line when Beethoven says, "Yes for an instant, in which you can live forever". Would you mind telling what that means to you? To me it means a state of being or mind frame where the feelings and thought are so true and real that for even a second of that mind frame is so clear and sane that you could live forever, something like that.

I also think Ed Harris was the far better choice. I know that some people probably disagree with me but I feel that he is more like Beethoven than Anthony Hopkins, not that he is like Beethoven.

Kind Regards,
Preston

Thank you for the kind words. To answer some of your questions:

I think your analysis of the line about living forever in the present moment is quite correct. Tolstoy said, 'The past no longer exists, the future has not yet occurred; there is only the present, in which we live forever.' It was meant to be a reflection on the timelessness of the mystical experience of the divine.

George Lucas is, indeed, an accomplished director. We never considered him for the film, though Steven Spielberg was, at one time, quite interested in doing it. I really find no comparison between our film and Star Wars. I must say that I am not a Star Wars fan. However, I do not think that Lucas can be considered one of the greatest of all directors. I do not rank him with, say F.W. Murnau or Andrei Tarkovsky or Kurosawa or Bergman. I do not know him, but, as far as I know, he is a fine person and very charitable in his support of the arts.

I don't know which King Arthur film you are referring to; I did not see the most recent one, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. I did see Troy, which I thought was pretty awful, though I am an admirer of the early work of Wolfgang Petersen.

I agree that most of the films made today are disappointing, if not outright dreadful. If you take a look at my web site, you will find my explanation for this. (You can access it by Googling my name with 'blog.') Working on a daily basis in Hollywood, I can see that the trend is increasingly toward sensationalism and lowest-common-denominator entertainment. Action-adventure, imitative romantic comedy and cartoon fantasy are on the rise, while most studios are cutting back or eliminating serious drama. Hollywood, more than ever, is devoted to the lowest forms of popular entertainment, while serous film-makers and film-goers must turn to the independent side of the business.

I do hope that you will have the opportunity of seeing the entire film. One should always reserve judgment until one has seen the complete work. DVDs should be available soon, and when they are I will let the members know.

[Preston]

Thank you for the kind words. To answer some of your questions:

I think your analysis of the line about living forever in the present moment is quite correct. Tolstoy said, 'The past no longer exists, the future has not yet occurred; there is only the present, in which we live forever.' It was meant to be a reflection on the timelessness of the mystical experience of the divine.

George Lucas is, indeed, an accomplished director. We never considered him for the film, though Steven Spielberg was, at one time, quite interested in doing it. I really find no comparison between our film and Star Wars. I must say that I am not a Star Wars fan. However, I do not think that Lucas can be considered one of the greatest of all directors. I do not rank him with, say F.W. Murnau or Andrei Tarkovsky or Kurosawa or Bergman. I do not know him, but, as far as I know, he is a fine person and very charitable in his support of the arts.

I don't know which King Arthur film you are referring to; I did not see the most recent one, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. I did see Troy, which I thought was pretty awful, though I am an admirer of the early work of Wolfgang Petersen.

I agree that most of the films made today are disappointing, if not outright dreadful. If you take a look at my web site, you will find my explanation for this. (You can access it by Googling my name with 'blog.') Working on a daily basis in Hollywood, I can see that the trend is increasingly toward sensationalism and lowest-common-denominator entertainment. Action-adventure, imitative romantic comedy and cartoon fantasy are on the rise, while most studios are cutting back or eliminating serious drama. Hollywood, more than ever, is devoted to the lowest forms of popular entertainment, while serous film-makers and film-goers must turn to the independent side of the business.

I do hope that you will have the opportunity of seeing the entire film. One should always reserve judgment until one has seen the complete work. DVDs should be available soon, and when they are I will let the members know.

Thank you for your reply. I could not find your website, which I would like to see, by Googling under blog. Could you post it or send it to me in a private message, it would be much appreciated? To send a private message you click on a persons highlighted name at the top left of the post, which is in a large font, then you click send private message.

Sorry to get off of topic, this will be all I say about this, but I thought it might be useful to you.

I must admit, I am a little bit surprised that you aren't to into Star Wars. To me it shows us how bad the state of our galaxy is going to be if we don't do something. It shows us a glimpse into the future! Shows us of a spirit called the force which gives us supernatural abilities, now that is interesting, it makes me ask what could this be, is this possible, what great spirit could be doing this? It shows us of greed, lust, deceit, vanity, etc. It shows us of what technology could come to. It shows us of the dark side of life and the light and lifefull side of life. Things that can lead to the dark side of life (look closely into Anakin's life and features, behavior, questions, etc.) A side of somewhat purity, the jedi, who have an immense love for life, healing, beliefs in the great spirit (the force), etc. It shows us of galactic war, galactic politics, the future of an inhumane world.

For some people they see some dumb and boring movie where they think it is about being cool like Anakin or Darth Vader or a jedi, but others who can really look into it and understand, what George Lucas has done, see a completely different thing. A movie coming from a normal man who was blessed with exceptional understanding of things in life. To truly understand Star Wars is amazing, and I am not saying I truly understand it all the way.

Some people consider it a "nerd" movie, and get turned off, which it is really not. You must ask what is a "nerd", what state of being is that, what thoughts can a man hold who is a nerd, does he understand other ways of life, does he understand different ways of being. Probably, at least some nerds. I don't know that I would really call George Lucas a nerd, just a different type of human being.

The way he captures the different people and different environments is really amazing, I think. Like the way he builds Anakin up from a child into a sinner who doesn't follow the ways of the great spirit (the force). THe wat he makes Anakin grow his hair out long, start commiting lust, take part in vanity and lust and greed, is exceptional. Or the Emperor, the way he captures the Emperor is amazing. In a sense, the Emperor feels that good people are confused because they do not release their hatred but hold it in. Which is wrong, I believe. That is just how insane the Emperor was. He feels that Yoda is arrogant, which I feel he somewhat is, but he considers himself not to be. Which, he may not be but at the same time he has greed, I believe. It is hard to explain, but the characterization in Star Wars is stunning.

http://www.next-wave.org/may99/starwars.htm

I myself am not to big of a fan of Spielberg.

I have not heard of the directors you mention, because I am not into film as you are. But I would like to see some of their movies.

Yes, it is sad that we spend so much money on bad movies. We could be using that money for a majority of other things, in my opinion. A lot of the movies that are coming out are just stupid.

May the Force be With You,
Preston

[susanwen]

Is there any news about an extended DVD? Will there be one? When will it be available?

[JA Gardiner]

Is there any news about an extended DVD? Will there be one? When will it be available?

Whoa! Some of us would like a chance to see it on the big screen first! Anyone any idea when it might make it to the UK? Needless to say I will be first in queue for the extended DVD too

[Raptured]

[...] the line about living forever in the present moment is quite correct. Tolstoy said, 'The past no longer exists, the future has not yet occurred; there is only the present, in which we live forever.' It was meant to be a reflection on the timelessness of the mystical experience of the divine. [...]

That line at the movie is perfect. LvB music is, to me, timeless and a "mystical experience of the divine".

To add my two cents on the George Lucas subject, I don´t think he would be adequate to direct "Copying Beethoven". He´s a great producer, but, for what could be seen in "Star Wars", an awful "actor´s director", which was adamant to CB. And I don´t see Ms. Holland using a lightsaber... To each its own.

Mr. Rivele, at your blog you digress on "Religion and spirituality". At CB, Beethoven is always talking about God. That made me very curious: why so, if (it seems) that was not such an important subject for him as the movie shows? I mean, no doubt he was far into the spiritual realm -- and he grabs us by the ears and we just *have* to go with him! I mean "religious" as in the "official" God thing. Maybe you made the nun say he was almost banned from official religion (or something like that) so people would not get under the impression that he was pretty religious. But then, that´s exactly what happened to some friends of mine who watched the movie. They asked me if he really was like that, a "God is everything" type...

Thanks!

[Preston]

Found your site and will continue reading, until I cannot read anymore, which shouldn't be to long, unfortunately. I made a couple of edits to my post regarding Star Wars, above. Thought I would let y'all know.

[Hollywood]

Whoa! Some of us would like a chance to see it on the big screen first! Anyone any idea when it might make it to the UK? Needless to say I will be first in queue for the extended DVD too

Boy do I know what you mean. We here in Vienna are also still waiting for this film to be shown on the big screen. I have the feeling that the dvd will come out at the same time the film will open here in Austria. You would think that Vienna should have had the world premiere of this film but it now looks like we will be the last city on earth to see it.

[terry]

On Variety there is a nomination for an award, Golden Reel. Who knows what it is about and where? There are other famous names with it. Click on Variety- (search) copying etc. Please if you find anything on the web write!
Beethoven rocks!

[srivele]

On Variety there is a nomination for an award, Golden Reel. Who knows what it is about and where? There are other famous names with it. Click on Variety- (search) copying etc. Please if you find anything on the web write!
Beethoven rocks!

I believe you are referring to the awards given by the Motion Picture Sound Editors association. And yes, it seems that we have been nominated in the musical film category.

[Joy]

I noticed the Academy Award nominations came out and no mention of Ed Harris. What a shame.

[Raptured]

I noticed the Academy Award nominations came out and no mention of Ed Harris. What a shame.

Some of the nominees really deserve it, but I suppose there´s lots of politics involved in all awards and nominations...

I believe you are referring to the awards given by the Motion Picture Sound Editors association. And yes, it seems that we have been nominated in the musical film category.

If Beethoven is not given a trophy in this category...

[susanwen]

There oughta' be an award for the screenwriter, too : }


Maybe this forum can generate an appropriate one.

Perhaps we can call it a Beety, or A BEAUTY of a Beety?

[srivele]

I noticed the Academy Award nominations came out and no mention of Ed Harris. What a shame.

Your enthusiasm never fails. The fact is that MGM did a lousy job of marketing the film. They failed almost utterly to get it before the public. I cite only as the most glaring example of their failure that the New York Times critic learned of the release of the film only through this website. She then gave us a glowing review. What a pity.