The Music of Strangers follows famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma on the road, making cross-cultural connections

Yo-YoMa is likelythe world's most famous cellist, but as seen in the new filmThe Music of Strangers:Yo-YoMa & the Silk Road Ensemble, the accomplished artist's love of musichas taken him far beyond the classical repertoire he was raised on.

Among his many sonicadventures, the Chinese-American cellist foundedthe Silk Road Ensemble in 2000, bringing together performers and composers from more than 20 countries to share disparatemusical traditions in an exciting cross-cultural initiative. The group has since toured around the world and released six albums.

I feel like I grew up in Torontobecause I've been coming here for almost 40 years.- Yo-Yo Ma

For The Music of Strangers,Oscar-winning documentarianMorgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom) followed the group on tour and exploredthe personal stories of strife and upheaval of some of the troupe's members, who hailfrom countries such asSyria, Iran and China.

Boston-based Ma was especially delighted that the film had its world premiereat the Toronto International Film Festivallast September,since he considers the city a second home.

"I feel like I grew up in Toronto," Ma told CBC News, "because I've been coming here for almost 40 years."

Some of Ma's first concerts were at Massey Hall, which remains a favourite venue to perform, and he designed the city's Music Garden, based on the movements of Bach's Suites for UnaccompaniedCello. Itopened in 1999.

Ma said it gave him "deep personal pleasure"to launch the movie "in one of my favourite cities," since Toronto is "one of the most global cities on the planet" and the Silk Road Ensemble is all about promoting openness to othercultures.

The Music of Strangers:Yo-YoMa & the Silk Road Ensemble opens in select cinemasacross North America, starting with New York and Los Angeles, on June 10. Canadian opening dates include Toronto on July 8, Montreal on July 22, Calgary and Halifax on July 29.