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| LES CHORISTES (2004) | |
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Many people with failed careers often turn to education as a refuge where they still can be a part of what they love the most.
These refugees usually do not have any idea of what they are about to do to themselves, as they are about to face young people who
believe they know everything or lack the enthusiasm that they possess.
Often it turns out to be a wake-up call that the previous job was not that bad after all, despite previous
failures.
Some of these refugees turn out to be excellent educators while others fail again.
In Les Choristes, known as the Chorus here in United States, the audience
is introduced to one of these refugees that is about to embark on a rough voyage, as he has taken a job as supervisor
in a boarding school for troubled children. Christophe Barratier who directs Les Choristes has previously produced excellent films such as Himalaya (1999) and Winged Migration (2001). The story that Barratier tells opens in New York where a man is half in slumber on a couch when someone awakens him in order to inform him that there is an emergency phone call for him. It appears that the man’s mother has just passed away, which leads him to return to home. When the man arrives home the audience can deduct through the mise-en-scene that the man is the best conductor in the world. After the funeral a strange man knocks on the door to ask the conductor if he recognizes him while he has a gift for him from an old teacher. The gift is a journal in regards to what happened in the year of 1949 at the Fond de l'Etang boarding school. The journal was a gift from his old teacher, Clement Mathieu (Gerard Jugnot), which brings the viewers back to the year of 1949. Through this flashback the audience is introduced to the school, the students, the teachers, and the headmaster Rachin while the story begins to take form. The school is designed to help troubled youth to get on right track before it is too late. This means that many of the students at Fond de l'Etang are up to no good whenever they get a chance. Rachin runs the school with an iron fist with the motto: “action – reaction”, as he has lost all hope in the children’s ability and only sees the imperfections of the children. Mathieu arrives quickly understands the psychology of Rachin, as he is forced to punish a student upon his arrival despite the student being innocent to his knowledge. The road to gain the students' trust is a long and difficult road, and more so to get them to follow the rules that he tries to set up. However, through compassion, self-irony, and a touch of humor Mathieu begins to get their attention. Quickly Mathieu adjusts to the school environment, as he commences a tryout for a choir. Through the choir he gets the students to cooperate and build a meaningful sense of belonging. The educational methods that Mathieu uses win the students over, as they begin to do actual work while showing some progress. Unfortunately, Rachin sees the music as another way for the students to express themselves negatively and dishonorably. Rachin does not credit Mathieu for the students’ progress through the music, as he tells him to stop the choir immediately. Despite the order from Rachin the students go underground much like the French Resistance during World War II in order to continue their music lessons. Through these lessons Mathieu builds strong bonds with the students, as he wins their trust while teaching them the wisdom of music. The theme of Les Choristes is not unique, which can be seen in films such as Dead Poet’s Society (1989), Dangerous Minds (1995), Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995), and Evil (2003). These stories are also regarding teachers in school settings that change students’ lives in some profound way. Another film that comes to mind is Cinema Paradiso (1989) that depicts an older man returning home to bury the man who changed his life. Les Choristes is a blend between these two themes. Barratier's storytelling elusively ushers the audience into a terrific cinematic experience. The technical aspects of filmmaking are reliable and shine in the moments when it is necessary to elevate a mood and a feeling. The theme, which has been used before, still is powerful, as it is an essential tool for expressing gratitude to those who educate the youth of the world. In the end, Les Choristes offers a truly joyful experience, as it displays that there is hope everywhere if one only tries to see it. |
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DIRECTED BY |
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| Christophe Barratier | |
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COUNTRY |
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France / Switzerland / Germany |
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| REVIEWED | |
| 2/20/2005 | |
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The Internet Movie Database. |
