Press Release from Quartet:
Quartet Records proudly presents the premiere release of the brilliant, nostalgic score by renowned composer Carter Burwell (MILLER’S CROSSING, WATERLAND, FARGO, CAROL) for the 1995 iconic film THE CELLULOID CLOSET, celebrating its 30th anniversary. Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, this comprehensive documentary covers the history of gays and lesbians in cinema, from negative to positive portrayals of gay characters, as well as the challenges faced by actors and actresses.
Carter Burwell provides a score that evokes the romanticism of Hollywood’s golden age, with a joyful and catchy main theme that radiates a sense of exuberant nostalgia, even when the score becomes more contemplative and dark. Burwell often plays with the narration’s ironic humor and the interviewees’ reflections, mirroring reality with melancholic orchestration. The score becomes a bridge between irony and sincerity, between memory, nostalgia, and desire.
Recorded at the legendary MGM Recording Studios with a large orchestra conducted by the composer, the score also offers a touching arrangement of the song “Secret Love” (from the film CALAMITY JANE), emotionally performed by k.d.lang. The CD is rounded out with a selection of songs from films that were important in the development of the documentary.
This album has been supervised by Carter Burwell, restored by Chris Malone, and mastered by Doug Schwartz. The package includes in-depth liner notes by film music writer Daniel Schweiger, including exclusive interviews with the composer and directors for this release. The design is by the creator of the original art for the film, Juan Gatti.
