The Chorists is a french film realised by Christophe Barratier, issued in 2004. It has been a succes in France despite the simplicity of the production.French actor, Gérard Jugnot acts as a supervisor, Clément Mathieu, in a boy’s boarding school after the WWII. The pupils are troubled boys, some of them no more than shy and lonely, others violent. The disciplin is strict and rough. The director acts more as if he were in charge of a prison and doesn’t seem to care for the children. His only obsession is discipline and rules. In this hard atmosphere, Mathieu, who has been through lots of insuccesses, will not accept to play his part in such a game. He is a sensitive and good man who can’t desist to trust the boys if they are given a chance to improve. As a musician he will introduce them to music and forms a choir, convinced it could be a way of « salvation » for them. And the miracle will occur. In spite of the scepticism of the director and the others teachers, he will manage to change the atmosphere of the school because of the boys’ involvement.After many ups and downs, Mathieu is dismissed, soon after the director is also dismissed, Pierre Morhange, the famous soprano of the choir, leaves the school, Pépinot, the youngest pupil who desesperatly wants a home, goes with Mathieu.The happy end of the tale still exists : Morhange, introduced to the music by Mathieu, will become a great conductor, Pépinot will find affection with Mathieu. Mathieu will have the simple life of a good man attentive to the others. I agree with reaction of the public and I liked this film very much. In our world of individualism and competition, this film is just like a ray of sunlight in the fog. It defends some kind of anachronistic values : the kindness, the lack of pretention, the humility, the faith in the others’ abilities, the dedication…Last but not least, the music and the boys’ voices are a real pleasure.
