MAESTRA -- A Conventional Glimpse Into the Artistry of Women Conductors

Review by Camden Ferrell

​Marin Alsop is an icon in the world of conducting, becoming the first woman to be appointed to lead a major American orchestra when she earned the music director job with the Baltimore Symphony in 2005. When Todd Field’s 2022 film Tár was released, it provided representation and attention for women conductors everywhere. However, Alsop (who was name-dropped in the film) found this rare spotlight on women conductors was not conducive to positively promoting women in that position. Maggie Contreras’ debut documentary, Maestra, finally gives Alsop and several other subjects the chance to shine a positive light on woman conductors and the passion they collectively share for their craft.
 
In this documentary, we see the personal and professional journeys of five women as they participate in “La Maestra" the only competition for female orchestra conductors. Through this process, we get a deep dive into the subjects’ home life and professional life, erasing the barrier that would otherwise exist between spectator and artist. There’s little to fault in the structure of the movie as it allows the audience to connect and grow attached to the film’s subjects while also highlighting a contest that should be more well known than it currently is.
 
While the premise provides a strong foundation for the movie, the execution is extremely conventional. The mileage of this execution will vary by viewer. Some people might enjoy the familiar pacing and beats that many similar documentaries have while others might wish such overachieving women get a film treatment that matches their ambition. Regardless, it’s hard to deny that this documentary plays it as safely as possible in the structure of its narrative. This allows things to be cohesive but at the expense of its ingenuity and artistry.

The movie does succeed in finding subjects who are equally interesting and distinct in their own rights. It’s great to avoid showing women conductors as a monolith of personalities, and Contreras’ really selected a variety of women to ensure the movie celebrates people from all walks of life. It never feels like moments are repetitive, and this is due to the charisma and unique characteristics of the film’s subjects.
 
When it comes to the actual coemption aspect of the documentary, this movie does a good job at showing what’s necessary for its story, but it is one of the aspects that feels like it could have been fleshed out more. I think a more thorough glimpse into the technical aspects of conducting would have tied the film together in a more rewarding and satisfying manner. Regardless, the bits of the competition that are shown are riveting and truly highlight the passion that exudes with every wave of their baton.
 
Maestra is too conventional for its own good at times but does a great job at being a piece of media to positively showcase women conductors and hopefully inspire future generations to follow their dreams. It works more on an informational level than it does artistically. It might feel too safe and familiar to keep audiences thoroughly engaged, but it also is a competently crafted story that will give viewers a much-needed insight into this profession and its subjects.
 
Maestra is in theaters May 24.

Rating: 3.5/5