Les Choristes
Spring 2005 Edge series
Sunday, May 1, 2005 at 4:00pm
Sunday, May 1, 2005 at 7:00pm
Acadia Cinema's Al Whittle Theatre
450 Main Street, Wolfville, NS
Directed by
Starring
Rated PG ·
1h 35m
France
French
Les Choristes is a warm and melodious tribute to the transcendental power of music. At the austere Fond de l’Étang (translation: ‘bottom of the pond’) boarding school in the forties, bullies and pranksters whose parents have given up on them prowl along with orphans who have recently lost their families to World War II. These rebellious youngsters endure day after day under the thumb of headmaster, a sour-faced disciplinarian who terrifies his students and resolves issues by banishing boys into solitary confinement. Into this dour environment comes Clément Mathieu, a beautiful dreamer trapped in the form of a frumpy, middle-aged music teacher. The big-hearted Clément quickly recognizes the pupils’ desperation for real encouragement and respect and through the power of music they are transformed.
“Rarely have I seen a film as drenched in good sentiment. A crowd pleaser.” — Kevin Laforest, Montréal Film Journal