After Netflix released the first trailer for Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” a biographical love story about Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre, many viewers took issue with Cooper’s large prosthetic nose, viewing it as the latest example of Hollywood’s stereotypical or inauthentic portrayal of Jewish people, Known as “Jewface”.
But in The statement was posted on Bernstein’s Twitter accountThe late Mosul’s children defended Cooper’s decision to “use make-up to exaggerate his resemblance” to their father. Cooper directed “The Maestro” and stars as Bernstein opposite Carey Mulligan as Montealegre.
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“Bradley Cooper included the three of us at every step of his amazing journey as he filmed his movie about our dad,” Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein wrote. “We were intrinsically moved to witness the depth of his commitment, his loving embrace of our father’s music, and the sheer joy he brought exploring it.”
They continued, “It breaks our hearts to see any misrepresentations or misapprehensions of his efforts. It was true that Leonard Bernstein had a big, cute nose. Bradley chose to use makeup to exaggerate his likeness, and we’re totally fine with that. We’re also sure our dad He’d be fine with him, too. Any severe complaints about the issue strike us above all as dishonest attempts to bring down a successful person – a practice we’ve often observed perpetrated on our father. At all times during the making of this movie, we could have felt deep respect and yes, The love Bradley has brought to his portrait of Leonard Bernstein and his wife, our mother Felicia. We feel so fortunate to have had such an experience with Bradley, and we can’t wait for the world to see his creation.”
Helen Mirren became embroiled in the “Jewish Face” controversy last year when it was announced that she would play former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in Jay Nativ’s “Golda,” which premieres in US theaters Aug. 25. Actress Maureen Lippman told the Jewish Chronicle that she “I disagree” with Mirren’s choice “Because the Jewishness of the character is so integral. I’m sure it would be great, but Ben Kingsley would never be allowed to play Nelson Mandela. You can’t even go there.” Other recent examples of Gentiles cast as famous Jewish people include Kathryn Hahn as Joan Rivers, Felicity Jones as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Gary Oldman as Herman J. Mankiewicz.
talking on “Jewface” controversyThis is what actress Tracy Ann Oberman said diverse“As actors we should be able to play anyone. That’s our job and I’ve had a wide and varied career in which I play many parts. However, we live in a very sensitive time about the appropriation of characters played by people who aren’t from that background. I’ve seen Few similar concerns about Jewish characters where their Jewish religious and cultural identity is ingrained in those who are discussed with the same respect.”
“Maestro” will premiere in competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival on September 2, and will be spot light film At the New York Film Festival on October 2. The film will then have a limited theatrical window starting on November 22nd before hitting Netflix on December 20th.
Produced by Cooper, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg, the film focuses on Bernstein’s turbulent 25-year marriage to Montealegre. The cast also includes Maya Hawke as their daughter Jamie, Sam Nivola as their son Alexander and Alexa Swinton as their daughter Nina. Additional cast members include Matt Bomer, Sarah Silverman, Gideon Glick, Michael Urie, and Miriam Shore.
Fred Berner, Amy Dorning, and Kristi Macosko-Krieger also produced the film, from Sikelia Productions, Amblin Entertainment, Lea Pictures, and Fred Berner Films. Cooper co-wrote the screenplay with Josh Singer.
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