Five In Focus | Five In Focus: Marcelo Zarvos: Artists, writers, musicians, politicians, and filmmakers share their favorite films

Marcelo Zarvos

Marcelo Zarvos has composed music for many artistic mediums. His many movie scores include ones for Allen Coulter’s Hollywoodland and Tod Williams’ The Door in the Floor (both also Focus Features releases); Barry Levinson’s What Just Happened; John Dahl’s You Kill Me; Robert De Niro’s The Good Shepherd (co-composed with Bruce Fowler and Rachel Boynton’s documentary Our Brand is Crisis. Additionally, he composed the score for Cosmic Collisions, the space show at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space. Mr. Zarvos’ dance scores include “Aquatica” (for Pilobolus); and “Divinities” (for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance) and “The Path,” and among his chamber music compositions are the string quartet “Nepomuk’s Dances,” “Changes,” for wind quintet and piano; and an NEA commission presented by the string quartet Ethel in the fall of 2006. As a recording artist, Mr. Zarvos has released three critically acclaimed albums on the MA Recording label: “Dualism,” “Music Journal,” and “Labyrinths.” The latter was cited by CDNow as one of the Top 10 Jazz CDs of 1999.

MARCELO ZARVOS' FIVE FAVORITE WESTERNS

1. |

The Magnificent Seven

It is impossible for me to separate music from film and I must say that, particularly with The Magnificent Seven and the Sergio Leone films, the scores are a big part of it.

I actually don't remember the first time I watched this though I am sure it was on TV and I must have been quite young. The cast was fabulous and the mostly downer ending with some of the heroes dying strikes me as unusual for Hollywood of that time (or any other time).

2. |

Once Upon a Time in the West

An epic emotional and dramatic take on the western genre. I love the performances as well as the romantic and melancholic tone.

3. |

Unforgiven

This feels like the end of a certain type of western with life imitating art on and off screen. All performances were amazing and the death theme surrounding the story is fascinating to me.

4. |

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

I love the humor and outrageous circumstances. Such a fresh take on the style at that time. Needless to say, it is also one of the great film scores of all time.