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The choristers (Les choristes) - Gérard Jugnot, François Berléand, Kaddour Merad, Christophe Barratier

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

When his mother dies, world-class conductor Pierre Morhange (Jacques Perrin) returns home and is unexpectedly thrust into his past. The obstinate, young Morhange attends the "Rock Bottom" school for unruly boys, where he and his classmates suffer for their childish pranks at the hand of the heartless Principal Rachin (François Berléand). That is, until lonely, good-natured Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot) arrives as their new supervisor. With a soft heart and keen awareness of his students' sufferings, Mathieu brings his own passion for music into the classroom to unveil the true hearts and minds of his motley, left-behind crew. Finally, above the dull grey of tattered sweaters and depressed hallways, rings the rich and fluid colour of song.

Director Christophe Barratier débuts as an astoundingly graceful storyteller who delights in the power of art to mend lives. The film is resplendent, with remarkably honest performances and a breathtaking musical element that lends a resonating, refined note to this captivating childhood tale.

Theatrical propaganda posters

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film drama art-house France French school choir music teacher student

Persons of interest

Gérard Jugnot .... Clément Mathieu
François Berléand .... Rachin
Jean-Baptiste Maunier .... Child Pierre Morhange
Jacques Perrin .... Adult Pierre Morhange
Kad Merad .... Chabert
Marie Bunel .... Violette Morhange
Philippe Du Janerand .... Langlois
Jean-Paul Bonnaire .... Maxence
Maxence Perrin .... Child Pépinot
Didier Flamand .... Adult Pépinot
Grégory Gatignol .... Mondain
Paul Chariéras .... Régent
Thomas Blumenthal .... Corbin
Simon Fargeot .... Boniface
Théodul Carré-Cassaigne .... Leclerc
Erick Desmarestz .... Doctor Dervaux
Philippe Lopes-Curval .... Screenwriter
Christophe Barratier .... Screenwriter
Christophe Barratier .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The choristers (Les choristes) official movie site
The choristers (Les choristes) film production notes
The choristers (Les choristes) QuickTime movie trailers
Awards and film festivals:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS - Oscars) 2005: Nominated: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Song - Look to your path (Vois sur ton chemin)
Bangkok International Film Festival 2005: International Competition
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) 2004: Nominated: Best Screenplay - Adapted (Christophe Barratier, Philippe Lopes-Curval), Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music (Bruno Coulais), Best Film not in the English Language
Cinematic Intelligence Agency Trenchcoat Awards 2005: Nominated: Best film - Subtitles
Hollywood Foreign Press Association (Golden Globes) 2004: Nominated: Best Foreign Language Film
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2004: Nominated: Crystal Globe (Christophe Barratier)

NB: French language dialogue with English language subtitles
See also As it is in Heaven (Så som i himmelen), To be and to have (Être et avoir)
Studios and distributors:

Buena Vista International

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

The choristers (aka Les choristes and The chorus) is Goodbye Mr Chips meets Dead Poets Society on a field trip to France. It's a bit obvious in places but that won't stop you from having a good time - not to mention a wee cry.

The singing is gorgeous.