In 1979, Ukrainian-American violinist Isaac Stern made an unprecedented tour of China, the first such tour by a Western musician in a country still reeling from the effects of the Cultural Revolution. On hand to document the historic event was filmmaker Murray Lerner, who gathered footage of Stern's encounters with both traditional Chinese musicians and conservatory students versed in Brahms and Mozart – interactions that, only a few years prior, would have been nearly impossible.

A fascinating and inspiring view of the power of music and musicians to build bridges where politics have failed, FROM MAO TO MOZART won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

DIRECTED BY MURRAY LERNER
UNITED STATES | 1979 | ENGLISH LANGUAGE