Matthew Heineman’s ‘American Symphony’ Captures Jon Batiste and Wife Suleika Jaouad as They Navigate Life
variety.comAddie Morfoot Contributor In his latest documentary, “American Symphony,” Oscar-nominated director Matthew Heineman delivers a portrait of two artists — Grammy winner and former “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” bandleader Jon Batiste and his wife, author Suleika Jaouad.
Heineman is known for putting his life on the line to make documentaries about the Mexican drug wars (“Cartel Land”), the initial explosion of COVID-19 in the U.S. (“The First Wave”) and the final months of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan (“Retrograde”).
But in “American Symphony,” which makes its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on Aug. 31, the helmer captures a more intimate battle.In early 2022, after receiving 11 Grammy nominations including album of the year, Batiste sets out to compose “American Symphony,” an original symphony that reimagines the classical traditions of the form at Carnegie Hall.
But life turns upside down when Jaouad learns that her long-dormant cancer has returned. Heineman’s 103-minute docu is a meditation on life – the peaks and the valley – unfolding.Jon and Suleika, did Matt approach you with the idea to make “American Symphony”?Batiste: I approached Matt wanting to film something around the creation of (my) “American Symphony.” The lead up to it, and everything around the creative process.
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