Set in the world of Russian immigrants living in New York Ci ty\, "\;Downtown Express"\; uses music to explore the clash of old world values against the lure and excitement of a new country. Under the wa tch of his loving but overbearing father\, virtuoso violinist and Juilliard student Sasha (Grammy nominee Philippe Quint) prepares for a critical reci tal meant to launch his career. Yet\, he is increasingly drawn to the rhyth ms of the streets of New York\, and when he meets singer-songwriter Ramona (acclaimed recording artist Nellie McKay)\, he joins her band\, falls in lo ve\, and begins to lead a double life\, careening frantically between two w orlds. As his classical debut nears\, Sasha must decide whether to break wi th his father and forge his own destiny.
\nQuint&rsquo\;s role in &q uot\;Downtown Express"\; marks the first time that a classical musician has been featured as the lead in an American independent film. 'I was inst antly swept away by this story because it mirrored my life in so many ways\ ,' says the Russian-born Quint\, who defected to the U.S. as a teenager\, i n part to avoid army service in Russia\, in part to study with The Juilliar d School&rsquo\;s renowned teacher Dorothy DeLay and take instruction from such luminaries as Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman.
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