Notes From the Past: Bernstein’s Wall Documentary Opens at Westerly’s The United Theatre

American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein sits on his piano bench, mid 20th Century. Photo by Ruth Orkin/Getty Images

All art comes with a sense of risk. Director Douglas Tirola knows this well. Featuring Leonard Bernstein’s transcendent force of history and music, audiences can bear witness to legendary artistry in an intimate conversation with the maestro himself.  

Bernstein’s Wall, a documentary highlighting the excellence of New York Philharmonic’s first American-born music director, Leonard Bernstein, opens for one week at The United Theatre in Westerly on July 17. Exploring Bernstein’s roles as humanitarian, activist, teacher, conductor and composer, the documentary acts as a unique take on biography as Bernstein himself speaks directly to his audience. In a rare historical portrait composed entirely of archival notes, audio recordings and written accounts, the film first premiered in 2021 at the Telluride Film Festival where it was praised for its excellence. 

Most notably recognized for his groundbreaking compositions in the musical West Side Story, Bernstein bridged the gap between musical theater and classical compositions. Hoping to bring his music into private spaces and the homes of thousands of listeners, Bernstein stood as a pivotal figure within musical storytelling and melodic education. As a skilled musician and passionate advocate for the arts, Bernstein left behind a legacy that opened the door to discuss not only the inimitable impact of music, but also the intense societal issues of his time.  

American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein sits next to his sister Shirley and prepares to light a cigarette as she speaks to him, 1940s. Photo by Ruth Orkin/Getty Images

Douglas Tirola, the film’s director, first discovered his love for film as a child. Taking a risk of his own and cold calling a nearby movie set while still in graduate school, Tirola quickly found himself working on a film that would come to be famously adored: When Harry Met Sally. Bouncing around from one set to another, Tirola immersed himself in filmmaking and fell in love with the act of creating.  

Having been briefly familiar with Bernstein in his youth, Douglas first conceived the idea for the documentary after reading E. B. White’s essay Here is New York. Combing through the “10 Best Moments of the 1980s,” Tirola found Leonard Bernstein while reading about his monumental concert to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall. As a stark political activist and an unparalleled visionary, his discussions of hope and peace traveled well beyond concert halls.  

“He included the audience and broke down the walls of who could care about classical music and music in general. He was a teacher and communicator. There’s such passion for who he was. I think what [the audience] will be surprised to hear is him talk about how much he believed in and loved America,” says Douglas. “We’re trying to capture the essence of Leonard Bernstein, not just the greatest hits of his life, but as both a performer and other impactful things that he did. You want the audience to walk away having a sense of who he was.” 

Sifting through thirty hours of found tapes, Tirola’s production team has worked to produce a film that comes through Bernstein’s own voice. Narrating his story decades after his own death, Bernstein speaks through the screen to each viewer. Without contemporary interviews that can easily be dissected today, Bernstein’s Wall is a constructed narrative, allowing messages that could not have been heard before to be understood now.  

“People were cynical about his political activism, but it was very clear to me that he was sincere and passionate in his desire to try and make the world a better place. I do believe what drew me to him most is that he had a belief in people, that he believed people were good, and that they could make mistakes and come back from them,” says Tirola.  

Inspired by Bernstein’s ability to employ his platform for a way to mobilize social change, Tirola’s team hopes that the musician’s beliefs are strong enough to echo even into the modern day. With the captivating way Bernstein championed his relationship with music, the story behind his art is shockingly current. Whether it was advocating for anti-war action, scientific research and weapon disarmament, his voice still holds an urgency that is still ever potent, having fought its way through the past.  

“Can art make a difference? That’s really the question of the film and the question that I believe [Bernstein’s] trying to answer throughout his life. Can the artist make a difference? That was always the core of this story. The things that Bernstein was concerned about are still things we need to be concerned about today. We hope that people walk out of there with a sense of activism.”  

 Bernstein’s Wall is set to premiere at The United Theatre in Westerly, Friday, July 17. For more information regarding showtimes or ticket information, visit unitedtheatre.org