Vitus (2006)

The film tells the story of a highly-gifted boy whose parents have demanding and ambitious plans for him - they want him to become a pianist. However, one day the boy, Vitus, is no longer ... See full summary »

Director:

Fredi M. Murer

Writers:

Peter Luisi, Fredi M. Murer,

Stars:

Fabrizio Borsani, Teo Gheorghiu, Julika Jenkins

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fabrizio Borsani	...	Vitus - age 6
Teo Gheorghiu	...	Vitus von Holzen - age 12
Julika Jenkins	...	Helen von Holzen, mother
Urs Jucker	...	Leo von Holzen, father
Bruno Ganz	...	Grandfather
Eleni Haupt	...	Luisa
Kristina Lykowa	...	Isabel - age 12
Tamara Scarpellini	...	Isabel - age 19
Daniel Rohr	...	Hoffmann jun.
Norbert Schwientek	...	Hoffmann sen.
Heidy Forster	...	Gina Fois
Daniel Fueter	...	Direktor Konservatorium
Livia S. Reinhard	...	Kindergärtnerin
Susanne Kunz	...	Primarlehrerin
Thomas Mathys	...	Arzt

Storyline

The film tells the story of a highly-gifted boy whose parents have demanding and ambitious plans for him - they want him to become a pianist. However, one day the boy, Vitus, is no longer willing to comply with his parents' plans and ambitions because he wants to follow his own star.

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Plot Keywords:

piano | zurich switzerland | recital | deception | airplane | 

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Taglines:

At age 6 his masters were Bach, Mozart, Schumann, and Liszt. By age 12 he had mastered them.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild thematic elements and language

Details

Official Sites:

Océan Films [fr] Official site [us]

Country:

Switzerland

Language:

Swiss German English

Release Date:

7 December 2006 (Israel)

Also Known As:

Vitus, l'enfant prodige

Filming Locations:

Schloss Waldeck, Solothurn, Kanton Solothurn, Switzerland

Box Office

Budget:

CHF 3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,722 (USA) (29 June 2007)

Gross:

$186,492 (USA) (19 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vitusfilm GmbH, SRG SSR idée suisse, Schweizer Fernsehen (FS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Vitus von Holzen - age 12: The hardest part was losing that game of chess!

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Connections

Referenced in Die Vitusmacher (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Allegro babaro"
Composed by Charles-Henri Alkan (as Charles Henri Alkan)
Performed by Teo Gheorghiu

User Reviews

Amazing Journey into Genius

I loved that this child was not only musically gifted, which I expected from the descriptors of the movie. He was mathematically a genius as well. But, the most amazing part was his understanding of psychology -- the ability to solve severe financial problems for his grandfather, the ability to manipulate everyone in his world into thinking he was normal for several years. The movie is one of the best I have seen in, literally, decades. And, then, there is the piano performance of a real musical savant. So, this is the story -- but the ability of the script and the director to move me into childhood, to remember what some of the issues of autonomy are, to see a family who loves and cares for their child, but also faces issues of financial pressures and job loss. This is a movie we can all relate to on many levels. What a great show!! I hope it becomes available on DVD -- I'll buy about 10 to give away. Dr. Margaret