Les Choristes

Les Choristes is a French film from 2004 (It's called The Chorus in some English speaking countries). Set in 1949, it tells the story of Clement Mathieu (played by comic actor Gerard Jugnot), a failed musician who finds himself working at Le Fond D'Etang - translated as The Rock Bottom - a school for unruly children.

The school is run on strict discipline. "Action - Reaction!" barks tyrannical headmaster Rachin (Francois Berleand) and this is the unthinking mantra for all staff at his Les Diaboliques-style institution. Mathieu's predecessor explains that the work is to provide the most perfunctory of education, while avoiding serious injury at the hands of the inmates. Pupils are beaten, bullied and isolated into obedience and suicides are common.

Of course, Mathieu doesn't accept this. On witnessing Rachin's brutal methods, he attempts to win over his class with kindness and understanding and when they mock him with song, he harnesses their enthusiasm by starting a choir. Of special interest to Mathieu is Pierre Morhange, a boy with the voice of an angel.





The film is actually a remake of the 1944 film called La Cage aux Rossignols (The Cage of Nightingales)


The film is practically identical but the ending and the beginning are different. Here are a few pics from La Cage aux Rossignols





Then there are a few pics which show the same scenes in both films




and the music stand.....



some more just general pics from Les Choristes



Next posting will be about the guys who actually sing in the film as well as some clips. Keep watching!