Fan CastingStephen Foster: The Song of America

Stephen Foster: The Song of America follows the turbulent life of one of America’s most prolific and influential composers, Stephen Collins Foster. Set against the backdrop of the antebellum South, the Civil War, and the rise of American minstrel music, this film chronicles Foster’s journey from a privileged upbringing to the depths of personal tragedy, reflecting both the optimism and the darkness of 19th-century America. Foster’s gift for capturing the hopes, heartaches, and aspirations of the American people through song makes him a cultural force, yet his personal life remains in turmoil. From the infectious rhythms of "Camptown Races" to the aching beauty of "My Old Kentucky Home" and "Oh! Susanna," we see the contrast between the public success of his music and his private battles with poverty, addiction, and heartbreak. Foster's relationship with his family, his struggles with the changing tides of the music industry, and his tragic early death all contribute to his complicated legacy.