DANIEL CHESTER FRENCH: AMERICAN SCULPTOR
a documentary film by Eduardo Montes-Bradley
Daniel Chester French: American Sculptor is a documentary film written, directed and narrated by award-winning filmmaker Eduardo Montes-Bradley of the Heritage Film Project. The film is an educational tool to introduce French to a wider audience, and to introduce the public to Chesterwood, the summer home, studio and gardens of the sculptor from 1896 to 1931.The film explores French’s formative years and his contributions to public sculpture, a lifetime commitment which ultimately led to over 100 public monuments and memorials spread out across the United States.
The film premiered on May 26, 2022 at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, MA. Opening remarks were presented by Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council and Honorary Chair of the event. The screening was followed by a scholarly panel discussion with Harold Holzer, Thayer Tolles and Eduardo Montes-Bradley.
The film can be accessed through your local library if they have a subscription to the Kanopy or Alexander Street streaming platforms. (Available through most college and university libraries too.)
Read the full press release here.
“When I was approached by Dan Preston and Michael Richman, editors of the Daniel Chester French papers, with the idea of making a documentary about Daniel Chester French and Chesterwood, I had only a vague concept of who the artist was. I was familiar with most of his work, but little did I know about the man behind the monuments. I was not alone.
As with many sculptors, French’s name was living under the shadow of his accomplishments, works of monumental proportions and historical implications.
After meeting with Chesterwood’s Executive Director, Donna Hassler, I understood the need and the urgency to bring French into the light by placing his life and works before the camera lens.
On my way back home to Virigina, I stopped in Concord, Massachusetts, to visit French’s grave. Carved on the tombstone I found the words that will preside over his biographical portrayal on film. I made Daniel Chester French a solemn promise to honor his legacy in a documentary film about his life and work.”