From his early 1960s scores for Irwin Allen’s shows Lost in Space, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and Land of the Giants to The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno to Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman to Harry Potter and Star Wars, John Williams is an American treasure and music icon. Now, The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that the world premiere of the documentary Music by John Williams, produced by Lucasfilm Ltd, Amblin Documentaries, and Imagine Documentaries, will open the 38th edition of AFI FEST, presented by Canva, on Wednesday, October 23.
This comprehensive documentary delves into the illustrious career and life of the legendary composer John Williams, celebrated for his contributions to both film and concert music. The film explores Williams’ journey from his early days as a jazz pianist to achieving 54 Oscar nominations and five wins. It highlights his profound influence on popular culture and the moving image arts.
REELated:
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau, Music by John Williams features interviews with a host of notable figures, including Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Kate Capshaw, Gustavo Dudamel, J.J. Abrams, Chris Martin, Ron Howard, Chris Columbus, George Lucas, Itzhak Perlman, Lawrence Kasdan, Yo-Yo Ma, Ke Huy Quan, James Mangold, Alan Silvestri, David Newman, Thomas Newman, Seth MacFarlane, Anne-Sophie Mutter, and Branford Marsalis.
These interviews reflect on how Williams’ music has shaped their lives and careers. The film is produced by Steven Spielberg, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, Meredith Kaulfers, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Laurent Bouzereau, with Markus Keith and Michael Rosenberg serving as executive producers.
“John Williams is an American icon with a true and timeless global impact,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “We are ‘over the moon’ to host the World Premiere of this film, a sentiment that perfectly resonates with Williams’ unforgettable music.”
Laurent Bouzereau added, “Growing up in France, John Williams’ soundtracks were pivotal in my love for music and my understanding of its power in cinematic storytelling. This documentary not only celebrates one of the greatest composers of all time but also underscores the enduring importance of orchestral music and musicians.”
In 2016, Williams was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award, becoming the first composer to receive this prestigious accolade for his career in film.
Following its premiere at AFI FEST, Music by John Williams will enjoy a limited theatrical release and will debut on Disney+ on November 1st.
This article was brought to you for FREE. Independent Journalism is not. Please support Reel 360 News and Reel Chicago by donating here.
