The Chorus

The Chorus, a poignant French film directed by Christophe Barratier, takes place in 1941, in the midst of World War II, in a boarding school in Paris. The story revolves around the life of a group of young, troubled boys who have been sent to the school, known as the Pitié-Salpêtrière, due to their difficult home lives and behavioral issues. These boys, all from impoverished backgrounds, have been deemed unmanageable by society and are therefore sent to the school in the hopes that the structured environment and strict discipline will help to mold them into better citizens. The arrival of a new music teacher, Clément Mathieu (played by Gérard Jugnot), marks the beginning of a profound transformation in the lives of these young boys. Mathieu, a former prisoner in a labor camp, brings with him a sense of wisdom, compassion, and empathy that sets him apart from the other teachers at the school. Despite the dire circumstances of the war and the bleak atmosphere of the school, Mathieu sees the potential in these boys and sets out to inspire them to find their place in the world. Mathieu's approach is unconventional and unorthodox, as he focuses on building the boys' self-esteem and confidence rather than relying solely on discipline and punishment. He encourages them to form a group choir and, with the help of a small group of enthusiastic pupils, sets out to give them a sense of purpose and belonging. The choir becomes a source of comfort, solace, and joy for the boys, providing them with a sense of community and a respite from the hardships of their daily lives. Through the lens of the choir, Mathieu and the boys begin to explore complex themes and emotions, such as love, loss, and sacrifice. The film features a range of musical numbers, from stirring anthems to poignant ballads, which serve to underscore the boys' emotional journeys and the power of music to transcend even the most difficult circumstances. One of the most compelling aspects of The Chorus is the way in which it portrays the complex relationships between the boys and their teacher, Mathieu. These boys, who have been deemed unlovable and uneducable by society, find in Mathieu a mentor, a friend, and a father figure. Mathieu, meanwhile, finds in the boys a sense of purpose and belonging that he had thought was lost forever. The film also sheds light on the lives of some of the boys, each of whom has a unique story to tell. There's Raymond, the class clown and troublemaker, who finds solace in the choir and ultimately discovers a talent for music; François, the rebellious and angry boy, who learns to express his emotions through music; and Pierre, the quiet and introverted boy, who finds a sense of security and stability in the choir. Throughout the film, Barratier employs a series of poignant vignettes, which serve to illustrate the struggles and triumphs of these young boys. The camerawork is simple yet effective, capturing the grittiness of life in a boarding school during wartime. The performances, meanwhile, are uniformly excellent, with Jugnot giving a nuanced and powerful performance as the charismatic teacher, Clément Mathieu. The Chorus is a beautifully crafted film that celebrates the transformative power of music, teaching, and hope. In a world torn apart by conflict and destruction, the film reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding ways to bring people together even in the darkest of times. Ultimately, The Chorus is a testament to the enduring power of music to bring people together, to heal emotional wounds, and to inspire us to become better versions of ourselves.