Poland 2023, 89 min, English, Russian, Chinese, Italian, Polish and Slovene, Hebrew & English subtitles
Vladimir Ashkenazy, Martha Argerich, Mitsuko Uchida, Krystian Zimerman—a long line of great pianists soared into the spotlight after winning this competition—the most prestigious one of all. The Chopin Piano Competition has been taking place in Warsaw since 1927 and places exceptional physical, mental, and musical demands on those who manage to enter. They all dream of winning, but a look behind the scenes reveals the human, relatable, heartwarming side of these immensely talented individuals: Italian contestant Leonora, who listens to Metallica to calm down, Chinese contestant Hao, who practices in the kitchen while his mother cooks, and Polish contestant Marcin, who has a musical relationship with his cat. Full of terrific music and colorful characters (the pianists and those with them), this film invites us to experience an exquisitely elegant and suspenseful drama up close.
Previous Festivals: Sundance, CPH:DOX, Miami FIlm Festival
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