The Liberator

Édgar Ramírez plays Latin American leader Simón Bolívar

Simón Bolívar is one of the most famous figures in Latin American history. A was a key leader in the struggle for independence from Spain in the early 19th century, he envisioned a united Latin America, with civil rights for people of all races and social classes. Bolívar was known as “El Libertador,” -- The Liberator--which is also the name of a new movie by Venezuelan filmmaker Alberto Arvelo.

Arvelo tells Kim Masters he has long wanted to do a film about Bolívar, and when it came to the movie’s music, he turned to his friend and fellow Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel, the charismatic Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor.

Dudamel says he immediately agreed to serve as an musical advisor for the biopic, but as he started to read the script, he found himself inspired, and ending up composing the film’s entire score. Because of his busy and travel-filled schedule, Dudamel would compose whenever he had a spare moment, including during the intermissions of concerts he was conducting.