Hamilton Premier at NYFF

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 9/30/16 at 11:33pm

Anyone else going to the documentary premier tonight at the New York Film Festival???? Will be sure to post my thoughts 

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 10/1/16 at 1:08pm

Do. Am curious. Will see when airs on PBS. Wondered who the director was. I see he graduated Wesleyan like LMM, possibly the same year, and had some connection to Hunter HS.  

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 11:55am

WARNING: writing is not my forte.  Thank god for anonymity!!!!! 

Hats off to Mr. Horowitz!  There were many themes and motifs to cover here and he handled them with aplomb. First and foremost, this film is about Hamilton and Burr as historical figures (Mr Churnow and other historians have supporting roles and we see Linn and the cast explore some historical landmarks...  The historians and Linn  begin by dissecting the opening number). Then Horowitz uses Somdheim and John Weidman to briefly discuss the subject of history in musical theatre pre-Hamilton (Assins, Pacific Overture). 

Now, it's time for the main event as Linn begins dissecting some of the songs and discussing their historical accuracy and purpose in the show (mainly utilizing My Shot and eventually The Room Where it Happens). The influence of rap in Lins life and the show is also briefly discussed by The Roots/Quest Love and NAS 

As the film progresses, other members of the cast show up and talk about the complex history's of the people they portray (yes, Washington was a great general, but he was also a slave holder) and the importance of honoring the good qualities while not exonerating the bad.  

 

Mr. Horowitz also takes the time  to include the important female historical figures in the musical   Just as Linn spent time writing songs for them and developing full characters, they get just as much credit in the history portion of the documentary. 

 

The film is bookended by Linns journey of becoming a father and how it has some similarities to Hamilton's personal  story as the son of an immigrant who has a burning desire to make the world a better place for his child. 

 

In short, this is not your typical musical theatre documentary filled with audition stories and chronicling the grueling rehearsal process. With the exception of a brief cabinet meeting, this is a story of Hamilton as a historical figure that is driven by Linns music  The focus on history makes it a great fit for home viewing as well as the classroom setting. Viewers who are familiar with the score but haven't had the opportunity  to see a physical production will appreciate the show clips that highlight Andy Blankenbuehler's beautiful choreography  and the versatile set by David Korins, providing further insight into the layered beauty of the musical as a whole (having seen the show four times, the physical production is my favorite part).  

 

My one minor quibble with the film I'd that I was hoping to see some footage from Vasser  and other workshops to get an idea as to how the show developed at each stage. That can be another whole other documentary though.    

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 12:53pm

Thanks for that report, Relevance. I'm looking forward to seeing this!

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 10/2/16 at 10:27pm

Yeah, thanks! I am now really looking forward to it also !

[Robert16]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 9:43am

I was at the screening last night and the documentary was wonderful on the large screen of the Walter Reade - Chris Jackson and the director of the doc did a talk after the screening

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 10/3/16 at 11:02am

Saturday was Lin, Renee,  Ron Chernow and Horowitz. Unfortunately most people asked stupid questions 

[thirtythirtyninety]

Posted: 10/4/16 at 9:23am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Song-List-More-Details-Revealed-for-PBS-HAMILTONS-AMERICA-Documentary-20161004

 

That's quite an impressive song list!  I assume that many of these are just very short clips/b-roll?

<<'Check out the full list of performed songs below:

"Alexander Hamilton"
"My Shot"
"Hurricane"
"The Schuyler Sisters"
"You'll Be Back"
"Right Hand Man"
"Helpless"
"Guns and Ships"
"Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"
"Wait for It"
"What'd I Miss" (White House performance)
"Cabinet Battle #1"
"The Room Where It Happens" (White House and Broadway performances)
"One Last Time" (White House performance)
"Burn"
"The Election of 1800"
"The World Was Wide Enough"
"Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" '>>

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 10/4/16 at 10:55am

Absolutely. Fiew clips are longer than 60 seconds    I estimate 15 of the 90 minute run time to be performances from the show (some songs make more than 1 appearance. Most of the footage looked verry familure from previously released B-roll, with the exception of some of the more candid White House moments).