Seymour: An Introduction (2014)

Meet Seymour Bernstein: a beloved pianist, teacher and true inspiration who shares eye-opening insights from an amazing life. Ethan Hawke helms this poignant guide to life.

Director:

Ethan Hawke

Stars:

Seymour Bernstein, Ethan Hawke, Sam Bachelor

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Seymour Bernstein	...	Himself
Ethan Hawke	...	Himself
Sam Bachelor	...	Himself
Jiyang Chen	...	Himself
Kimball Gallagher	...	Himself
Andrew Harvey	...	Himself
Junko Ichikawa	...	Herself
Michael Kimmelman	...	Himself
Joseph Smith	...	Himself
Joel Bernache	...	Himself
Ronald Coners	...	Himself
Marcia Eckert	...	Herself
Cong Ji	...	Herself
Liam Kaplan	...	Himself
Aileen Li	...	Herself

Storyline

Director Ethan Hawke explores the life and lessons of piano teacher Seymour Bernstein.

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Plot Keywords:

master class | reference to moses | reference to buddha | publicity photograph | stage fright | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 2015 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Сеймур: Краткое представление

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,587, 15 March 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$580,000, 3 May 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Room 5 Films, Under the Influence

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the film comes from the J. D. Salinger novella, Seymour: An Introduction.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Ethan Hawke/Paul Dano/A Tribe Called Quest (2015)

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Soundtracks

Impromptu In A Flat Major, D.899 No. 4
written by Franz Schubert
performed by Clifford Curzon
courtesy of Decca Music Group Ltd.
under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

An amiable documentary subject

Ethan Hawke directs and appears in this American documentary whose subject is Seymour Bernstein, a renowned pianist who stopped performing in concerts at age fifty and began teaching.

Bernstein is a delightful man in his eighties whose philosophies of life interchange with those of his art. During the film, he mentors Hawke who is now reflecting on his own choices of life and art.

Some of the best dialogue occurs at the beginning and end of the film when the amiable Bernstein speaks of the conflict of trying to mix the inner soul of an artist with the outer commercial and social worlds. It is also fascinating to hear him speak of nervousness before performing. More movie time, however, is spent in his teaching techniques. While this is less interesting than the other discussions, this remains a fine film overall.

There is genuine modesty in Bernstein's personality (compare him to the many less talented people who hire publicists) and likewise that of Hawke for openly admitting his own insecurities. And there is nearly always beautiful classical piano music in the background.