Felino Dolloso promises the most beautiful trumpet solo in the world. And he does not disappoint. Like a modern Ulysses, the king of Ithaca, he returns from an unknown journey, bewildered and fascinated, to a world that no longer recognizes him. The film is an archipelago of scattered islands united by their beauty, a refined, emotional and transparent wandering journey where anything can happen. Felino Dolloso moves like a proud, elegant and majestic street cat, who licks his delicacies with relish and entertains himself with passion in his absurd solitary games. An artist with a naked ego, who does not care what others say, those who are lost and confused. He lives in his art and for his art, in the tragedy of living to be an artist, in his distressing dilemma of playing the trumpet again. Because for him playing the trumpet is an act of love, it is living again. And Ulysses is not Ulysses without his Odyssey. In the epic of Felino Dolloso, in his heroic journey, his transformative myth, he learns nothing, there is no metamorphosis in his person. He only came to play us a song, with his cinema and his rules, and after being able to enjoy his talent, taste and genius to the last vestige, he will return from where he came without even saying goodbye. Poetic, lyrical, powerful, and unforgettable soundtrack by Brique a Brag, Markus Rutz and Ryan Taubert, also highlighting the brief lucid appearance of Aaryan and Sophia, the cubs who dream of becoming lions. - Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de Madrid.
"Filipino-Aussie director Felino Dolloso’s new creation, a web series called TRUMPET PLAYER, is now available on YouTube. The web series follows the life of a trumpet player, portrayed by Felino Dolloso himself. The story unfolds in a city where Felino’s character appears to be an outsider navigating a foreign city. It captures the beauty of solitude through sweeping shots of the main character wandering around the city, finding solace in the busy streets of the city.
Dolloso’s character conveys the tranquility that comes from being alone, making the audience feel the depth of his connection to both his instrument and the foreign land he calls home. The absence of dialogue in most of the scenes speaks volumes, allowing the audience to connect with the deep quiet that often accompanies solitude. It becomes a powerful tool in conveying the Trumpet Player’s journey.
Cinematographer Ferry Lie’s film captures the nuanced emotions of solitude, from the vast, lonely landscapes to the intimate close-ups that expose the vulnerability of the main character.
One of the iconic scenes from TRUMPET PLAYER is in episode 10: Stairway, where it just shows a vast stairway that is seemingly endless, creating a sense of awe and mystery.
Trumpet Player is a beautifully written masterpiece that elevates solitude into an art form. With Dolloso’s intelligent storytelling and captivating performances, the web series invites the audience to embrace the solitude that can become a source of peace and happiness within. It is a celebration of self-discovery in the midst of living as an outsider." - Joanna Saavedra, The Philippine Times