The Academy Award–nominated documentary VIVA VERDI! is now streaming on Jolt.
The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards, bringing renewed attention to this acclaimed portrait of artists continuing to create, mentor and inspire well into their later years.
Directed by Yvonne Russo and produced by Christine La Monte, p.g.a., Yvonne Russo, p.g.a., and the late Ron Simons—marking his final film—VIVA VERDI! takes place at Casa Verdi, the legacy retirement home founded by composer Giuseppe Verdi in Milan in 1896. The feature documentary follows residents aged 77 to 107 as they continue to perform, teach, and mentor 16 international young music students who live among them.
The film’s original song, “Sweet Dreams of Joy,” an aria composed by Emmy Award–winner Nicholas Pike, and performed by soprano Ana María Martínez, earned the Academy Award nomination, placing VIVA VERDI! among a select group of documentaries recognized for original song.
VIVA VERDI! premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival in October 2024, and later screened at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The film has been praised by critics as "Fantastic film about …an extraordinarily beautiful place in Italy. Young people with residencies, tell you there is nothing like it. Touching…. wonderful film - it’s beautiful, everyone should see it, I love that movie!” LAist - Tim Cogshell
“We are thrilled about our partnership with Jolt, a trusted home for filmmakers,” say director/producer/writer Yvonne Russo, p.g.a. and producer/writer Christine La Monte, p.g.a. “Jolt provides a great opportunity for audiences everywhere to enjoy our heartfelt film that bridges generations through music - our love letter to Verdi that has inspired, delighted, and entertained at every festival to date. ”
The addition of VIVA VERDI! to Jolt’s growing roster underscores the platform’s commitment to amplifying films that are looking to grow, and expand their audience beyond the festival circuit. Through its first-of-its-kind Interest Delivery Network, Jolt leverages advanced data and machine learning to connect extraordinary films with the audiences who will treasure them most.
“Jolt exists for films exactly like VIVA VERDI!—beautiful, life-affirming stories that deserve to find their audience, ” said Tara Hein-Phillips, CEO and Co-founder of Jolt. “This is a film about legacy, about passing wisdom between generations, and about the enduring power of art. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share it.”
About Jolt
Jolt partners with independent filmmakers to help their films find and grow lasting audiences.Through strategic curation, audience discovery, and ongoing distribution support, Jolt enables film teams and partners to retain full rights to their work while building meaningful, long-term engagement with viewers.
VIVA VERDI! Oscar nominated for Best Song, 'Sweet Dreams Joy’ by Nicholas Pike, is an intimate glimpse into the lives of the celebrated opera singers and musicians currently living out their 'third act' while mentoring international music students who live among them at Milan's unique retirement home, Casa Verdi, built by Giuseppe Verdi in 1896.
Credits: Director Yvonne Russo; Producers Christine La Monte, p.g.a., Yvonne Russo, p.g.a., Ron Simons; Writers Yvonne Russo and Christine La Monte; Music Composer Nicholas Pike; Cinematographer Jacek Laskus; Editors Federico Conforti, Darianna Cardilli
No comments:
Post a Comment