After many long years, the Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead will officially make its premiere on October 11th, the closing night of the renowned New York Film Festival which runs from 9/25-10/11.
The film was directed by Don Cheadle (his directorial debut!), and Cheadle also stars as Miles Davis in the film. The festival director Kent Jones spoke passionately about the selection, saying:
“I admire Don’s film because of all the intelligent decisions he’s made about how to deal with Miles, but I was moved—deeply moved—by Miles Ahead for other reasons. Don knows, as an actor, a writer, a director, and a lover of Miles’ music, that intelligent decisions and well-planned strategies only get you so far, that finally it’s your own commitment and attention to every moment and every detail that brings a movie to life. ‘There is no longer much else but ourselves, in the place given us,’ wrote the poet Robert Creeley. ‘To make that present, and actual … is not an embarrassment, but love.’ That’s the core of art. Miles Davis knew it, and Don Cheadle knows it.”
The legendary trumpeter lived a troubled life, but gave us some of the best albums of all time, including Kind of Blue and Birth of the Cool. Musically, Davis was on a level by himself, and tackling the artist must have been a challenge for Cheadle. The actor/director
“I am happy that the selection committee saw fit to invite us to the dance. It’s very gratifying that all the hard work that went into the making of this film, from every person on the team, has brought us here. Miles’ music is all-encompassing, forward-leaning, and expansive. He changed the game time after time, and New York is really where it all took off for him. Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center… feels very ‘right place, right time.’ Very exciting.”
We can’t wait to view this inspirational film!
[Via MilesDavis.com]
