A new documentary, DALE, explores the life, work and lasting influence of Dale Hikawa Silverman, the first Asian-American woman appointed to the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Directed by Justin Streichman, the film follows the Japanese-American violist’s path through the orchestra over more than four decades, including her rise to Acting Principal Viola.
Inspired by the Japanese idea of ikigai—the pursuit of meaningful work—DALE considers Silverman’s lifelong devotion to music while addressing the racism and sexism she experienced in an industry with few women, particularly women of colour.
Raised in Chicago, Silverman moved to Los Angeles to pursue a master’s degree in violin performance. She later performed in the second violin sections of the St. Louis Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic before following her desire to play the viola.
Streichman first encountered Silverman’s performance at the Hollywood Bowl through a friend, whose mother was the LA Phil musician.
“Dale is the mother of a dear friend of mine, who once took me to the Hollywood Bowl to see her perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic,” Streichman said. “I was immediately struck by the physicality and vibrancy of Dale’s playing, even from the bleachers of the Bowl.”
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He was especially intrigued by a detail about Silverman’s practice routine.
“My friend later told me that Dale would practice viola for hours at home in front of a large television blaring the latest football game. I was fascinated by this juxtaposition: the discipline and precision of classical music alongside the brute physical spectacle of football. I had to capture that image on film.”
Streichman said this initial image eventually developed into a wider reflection on artistry, commitment and purpose.
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“That was the seed of the documentary. Once I began filming with Dale, I was drawn to her charisma, humility and candour. What began with this very specific image of her practicing became a portrait of someone looking back on more than four decades devoted to her craft and considering what that devotion had meant.”
“My own artistic path began as a musician, playing the French horn, so I felt an immediate connection to Dale’s discipline and relationship to music. But her devotion to craft resonated with me more broadly as an artist as well. Making the film became a way for me to consider the drive to continually refine and make work. What propels us to do the work that we do, and to devote so much of our lives to it?”
DALE has screened at 3030 international festivals, including Le FIFA, San Francisco DocFest, In-Edit Barcelona, the Vancouver Asian Film Festival and the Newport Beach Film Festival. Its awards include Best Documentary Portrait at DOC LA, the Swift House Prize for Best Depiction of the Arts at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, and the Audience Award for Best Short Documentary at the DisOrient Asian American Film Festival.
The documentary is now available to stream on GuideDoc, Giloo, ARTS.FILM and PREVO.
