TheChorus (Les Choristes)
Dir: Christophe Barratier France / Switzerland / Germany 2004
95mins 15A
With Les Choristes, first-time director Christophe Barratier has crafted a warm
and melodious tribute to the power of music. Most of the pupils at the austere
Fond de l’Étang (which translates as “bottom of the pond”) boarding school are
bullies and pranksters whose parents have given up on them; others are orphans
who have recently lost their families to World War II. These rebellious
youngsters endure day after day under the thumb of headmaster Rachin (François
Berléand), a sour-faced disciplinarian who terrifies his students and resolves
issues by banishing boys into solitary confinement.
Into this decidedly unhappy environment comes Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), a
beautiful dreamer trapped in the form of a frumpy, middle-aged music teacher.
Hired as a mere assistant, the big-hearted Clément quickly recognises the
pupils’ desperation for real encouragement and respect. When he discovers that
several of the boys are gifted singers, Clément skirts around Rachin’s policies
and arranges the students into a choir. While incurring the wrath of his
superior, the teacher gamely suffers the boys’ pranks, nurtures their talents
and eventually wins their trust through the music they create together.
Remarkably, the worst of the bullies even emerges as the choir’s angel-voiced
soloist.
Prolific composer Bruno Coulais (Microcosmos and Le peuple migrateur) has
crafted a stirring and evocative score that perfectly complements the choral
refrains which resound throughout the film. A loose remake of Jean Dréville’s
1945 musical La Cage aux Rossignols, Les Choristes also shares important
elements with the moving classroom documentary Être et avoir and with the
immensely popular Shine. - Martell French Film Festival (IFI)
“Will put a song in your heart.” - Daily Express
“The Chorus is one of those rare films bathed in grace.” - Paris Match
“An exceptional film” - Daily Mail
“Irresistible.” - Uncut
Winner - Best Music, Best Sound / Cesar Awards 2005
Winner - Golden Kinnaree for Best Director / Bangkok International Film Festival
2005
Winner - Best European Composer / European Film Awards 2004