What inspired you to make this movie?
When the idea of the film started I was working on various other projects and documentaries. A good friend of mine, Tim Smith, a sommelier and wine director, gently and persistently pushed me to tell André’s story. So I began with some general research and this coincided with the first CIA Vintners Hall of Fame in Napa Valley that was held in 2007. That was the first day of filming on this project and the start of the journey that I never imagined would take ten years to complete. André’s story reads like an exciting novel. He led an exceptional life and what truly captivated me most to tell this story are those that I met that were touched by him. That was the inspiration that impelled me to share André’s life on film.

What was your relationship like with your granduncle?
Uncle André always had this twinkle in his eye and, like the rest of my family, I adored and loved him. André was in a way a gentle giant figure in my life because he was just such an impressive person. He was marvelous with us kids and a great storyteller himself. André captured our attention with all his tales about his childhood in Russia, fleeing the communists and then fighting in the Russian civil war. He was charming, mischievous and a joy to be around. Growing up I never knew what an important person he was in the wine industry. It was only later that I understood his impact. 

Films are made for audiences so it would be lovely to have audiences across the globe be inspired by André’s story. I feel it is a very important time for a film like this that touches the human soul. It’s a peek into the life of a true gentleman who lived with principles, wisdom and compassion and helped change an industry that sometimes did not want to be changed. What brings me joy is to see audience’s reactions. I have been to screenings from Berlin to Moscow, Bangkok to Napa, and each time I see people taken by André’s journey who come out of the theaters smiling yet moved to tears. 

What inspired you to make this movie?
When the idea of the film started I was working on various other projects and documentaries. A good friend of mine, Tim Smith, a sommelier and wine director, gently and persistently pushed me to tell André’s story. So I began with some general research and this coincided with the first CIA Vintners Hall of Fame in Napa Valley that was held in 2007. That was the first day of filming on this project and the start of the journey that I never imagined would take ten years to complete. André’s story reads like an exciting novel. He led an exceptional life and what truly captivated me most to tell this story are those that I met that were touched by him. That was the inspiration that impelled me to share André’s life on film.

What was your relationship like with your granduncle?
Uncle André always had this twinkle in his eye and, like the rest of my family, I adored and loved him. André was in a way a gentle giant figure in my life because he was just such an impressive person. He was marvelous with us kids and a great storyteller himself. André captured our attention with all his tales about his childhood in Russia, fleeing the communists and then fighting in the Russian civil war. He was charming, mischievous and a joy to be around. Growing up I never knew what an important person he was in the wine industry. It was only later that I understood his impact. 

Films are made for audiences so it would be lovely to have audiences across the globe be inspired by André’s story. I feel it is a very important time for a film like this that touches the human soul. It’s a peek into the life of a true gentleman who lived with principles, wisdom and compassion and helped change an industry that sometimes did not want to be changed. What brings me joy is to see audience’s reactions. I have been to screenings from Berlin to Moscow, Bangkok to Napa, and each time I see people taken by André’s journey who come out of the theaters smiling yet moved to tears. 

A number of wine films reflect more on the wine and its physical nature of taste and smell. Whereas exceptional films or books touch us on a human level. I hope this film does that and will arouse curiosity while bringing reflection to a world that in some way seems to be losing its humanity that is so important. At the same time, wine lovers will enjoy hearing the tales of some of the most important wine personalities including among others Christian Mouiex, Michael Salacci, Michel Lafarge, Warren Winiarski, Miljenko Grgich, Marchese Ludovico Antinori, Count Gelasio Gaetani D'Aragona Lovatelli, Patrick Leon, Rob Davis, Greg Lafollette, Marchese Ferdinando Frescobaldi, Axel Heinz and Francis Ford Coppola. 

I have worked on numerous television documentaries, but this is my first feature documentary for the cinema. I started out at the age of six having fun with my parent’s 8mm Kodak camera in Africa. I later borrowed their Pentax camera and at the age of 11 and started developing and printing my own pictures in a dark room at International School Bangkok. I fell in love with celluloid. As a child, going to the cinema was also an escape. Upon entering a theater, no matter in Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong or San Francisco, as the curtain goes down you begin a journey that takes you away for a short time from all the stress of life. As with books, film gives you the time and space to escape into other worlds.  

Making this film certainly has been the most difficult project of my life, from the financial challenges of getting the film made to finding the material in order that André could tell his own story. It took years to uncover certain pictures, 8mm films and interviews of him. Then I spent time in the Russian film archives searching 35mm films of the Civil War. Every piece of music is original in the film and I worked with one of Russia’s most interesting contemporary composers, Alexei Aigui. I tortured Aigui with my wishes and desires for certain musical perfection. The film also would certainly not be what it is today without the kind guidance from my friend and mentor, the multiple Oscar-winner Walter Murch. And it was a true honor to work with one of cinema and theater’s greatest actors, Ralph Fiennes, a genius, and the way he works his voice and body is like a Stradivarius violin, having the exceptional ability to play various roles highlighting subtle notes with authenticity while giving powerful performances. This talent Fiennes brings to the film with his superb narration. A film is a collaboration of talents and I’m in deep gratitude to those in the film and wine community as well as my family and friends whose kind contributions made it possible.

Absolutely!  Because the film is not just about wine but really about those who make the wine. It moves you on a very intimate level regardless if you are a winemaker, shoemaker, lawyer, doctor, executive or student. André followed his passion, took great risks and served as a muse to an entire generation of winemakers who have made our world so much more wonderful by creating this magical nectar. 

Purchase tickets for the exclusive London Premiere of André Tchelistcheff: The Voice of Wine complete with winemaker panel and tasting here.