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BEETHOVEN'S HAIR traces the unlikely journey of a lock of hair cut from Beethoven’s corpse and unravels the mystery of his tortured life and death. The film begins in modern times when a pair of
Beethoven enthusiasts named Ira Brilliant and Che Guevara purchase the hair at a Sotheby's auction. The story unfolds tracing the past generations of owners, culminating in the futuristic science that reveals Beethoven's "medical secret". Set to a lush score of some of Beethoven's most glorious music, the film explores the world of forensic testing in sharp relief against the romance of 19th century Vienna and the horrors of 20th century Nazi Germany. Based on Russell Martin's best-selling book, this is the story of characters separated by time and place, whose only connection is an unlikely relic that touched each of their lives - Beethoven's hair. Along the way, this film sheds new light upon the cause of Beethoven's various maladies, including his deafness, as well as accounting for his volatile personality and perhaps even the nature of his great art. Read an in depth synopsis.
Beethoven's Hair
BEETHOVEN'S HAIR traces the unlikely journey of a lock of hair cut from Beethoven’s corpse and unravels the mystery of his tortured life and death. The film begins in modern times when a pair of
Beethoven enthusiasts named Ira Brilliant and Che Guevara purchase the hair at a Sotheby's auction. The story unfolds tracing the past generations of owners, culminating in the futuristic science that reveals Beethoven's "medical secret". Set to a lush score of some of Beethoven's most glorious music, the film explores the world of forensic testing in sharp relief against the romance of 19th century Vienna and the horrors of 20th century Nazi Germany. Based on Russell Martin's best-selling book, this is the story of characters separated by time and place, whose only connection is an unlikely relic that touched each of their lives - Beethoven's hair. Along the way, this film sheds new light upon the cause of Beethoven's various maladies, including his deafness, as well as accounting for his volatile personality and perhaps even the nature of his great art. Read an in depth synopsis."You men who say I am malevolent or misanthropic, how greatly you wrong me. You do not know the secret cause. As soon as I am dead, ask Dr. Schmidt to describe my malady, so that the world may be reconciled to me. Farewell, and do not completely forget me when I am dead." - Ludwig van Beethoven
Larry Weinstein
Born in 1956, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, director Weinstein is an honours graduate of York University, B.F.A. Film. In 1979 he formed Rhombus Media with Niv Fichman and Barbara Willis Sweete. In 1998 he received the degree of Doctor of Letter honoris causa at York University.
In recent years, director Larry Weinstein has become Canada's preeminent director of films on musical subjects. Feature
films documenting the lives of twentieth century composers, such as Ravel, Weill, Arnold Schoenberg, Shostakovich, Manuel de Falla, and Joaquín Rodrigo, have received top awards and have been screened at major film festivals throughout the world. His films have earned numerous Gemini Awards celebrating the best in Canadian television production. Weinstein has received a 1986 Academy Award nomination for Making Overtures: The Story of a Community Orchestra, a 1988 Primetime Emmy nomination for All That Bach, and has been awarded a 1993 International Emmy for an episode of Concerto!.
In 1998 Weinstein completed Hong Kong Symphony: Heaven-Earth-Mankind, a documentary capturing the frantic energy of the Hong Kong handover from British to Chinese rule on June 30th, 1997.
Larry Weinstein has worked throughout Europe, the US, Canada, and South America, with many of the world's major cultural broadcasters. His programs have been televised around the world in over 35 countries. With more than a dozen award-winning films to his credit, and several projects in development, he is one of the most sought-after directors of music and arts films in the world. Read more about director Larry Weinstein.