La Vie

            I am a huge fan of French Cinema and have been for around six years now ever since I watched a little known (in the UK) French film by the name of The Chorus (French title: Les Choristes) released in 2004 and watched by myself in 2007, this film opened my eyes to French Cinema and the French language itself. Directed by the then first time Director Christophe Barratier, this film literally changed my life forever.

            The film tells the story of hugely successful conductor Pierre Morhange who, after the death of his mother, returns from New York to his home in France. Whilst there, he is given the diary of his old music teacher Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot)  and we are taken back to his childhood at a boarding school for troubled boys and orphans of The Second World War, named Fond L’Etang (In English: ‘Rock Bottom). A new teacher to the school, Clément Mathieu brings a breath of fresh air to the seemingly hopeless institution by assembling a choir which not only gives the children hope and happiness but also leads to the discovery of badly behaved Pierre Morhange’s talent as a vocalist.

            The acting in the film is without a doubt a fantastic example of the huge pool of talented actors that France has. Gérard Jugnot plays the role of the somewhat clumsy but intelligent and loveable teacher to endearing perfection. The scenes between him and the children are truly heartwarming and moving. He has the ability to make the audience understand exactly how he is feeling without saying a word. When his heart breaks, our heart breaks with him. But for me, the actor that shines through in this film is the then unknown 14 year old Jean Baptiste Maunier – with the voice and face of an angel. Discovered though his school choir and having never acted before, Maunier is the heart and soul of the film and his undeniably beautiful voice and understated acting makes the film unforgettable. He quickly became a singing sensation in France and after the success of the film and new found interest in choirs; his school choir were able to do a live concert at the Palais des Congres.

            The music plays a huge part in the film; bringing originality and a unique soundtrack that not even the coldest of hearts could resist warming to. The original soundtrack was written for the film by composer Bruno Coulais. Director Barratier even helped write the songs which give the film an added personal touch as the children sing about dreams, hope and despair. The soundtrack even won the 2005 César award for Best Music Written for a Film and was nominated for an Oscar Award for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.

            With resonating similarities to The Dead Poets Society, the film has been regarded by some critics as being ‘cute’ and ‘predictable’ but this art-house film is charming, beautifully shot and handled with love. When watching the making of the film, I was blown away by the care that Barratier had for the children in the film; he helped through every single step of the film and made each and every one of them feel like they had an important role to play even if they were extras.

            Although the effect of the film hasn’t been felt as much in the UK as it has in France, I really hope people who wouldn’t normally watch French Cinema are able to see past the subtitles and the foreign language and are able to see the film for what it is; a truly uplifting and beautiful, inspirational story.

            I urge you all to watch it if you haven’t already!