Every five years, the capital of Poland hosts one of the most thrilling classical music competitions in the world: the International Chopin Piano Competition, known colloquially as the “Olympics of piano.”
Contestants from around the globe gather under the rigorous eye and ear of judges to perform works for solo piano composed by native son Frédéric Chopin, a virtuoso pianist himself who wrote music that demands tremendous skill and artistry of the soloist.
In his documentary Pianoforte, from Greenwich Entertainment and Telemark, Polish director Jakub Piątek documents the most recent Chopin Competition, an event of such prestige that it inherently involves “high stakes and high emotions,” as the filmmaker noted during an appearance at Deadline’s Contenders Documentary event.
Related: Deadline’s Contenders Documentary – Full Coverage
“We chose our protagonists during this preliminary round, which is like 160 of them, trying to get one of the 90 ‘tickets’ to the main competition,...
Contestants from around the globe gather under the rigorous eye and ear of judges to perform works for solo piano composed by native son Frédéric Chopin, a virtuoso pianist himself who wrote music that demands tremendous skill and artistry of the soloist.
In his documentary Pianoforte, from Greenwich Entertainment and Telemark, Polish director Jakub Piątek documents the most recent Chopin Competition, an event of such prestige that it inherently involves “high stakes and high emotions,” as the filmmaker noted during an appearance at Deadline’s Contenders Documentary event.
Related: Deadline’s Contenders Documentary – Full Coverage
“We chose our protagonists during this preliminary round, which is like 160 of them, trying to get one of the 90 ‘tickets’ to the main competition,...
- 12/10/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Behind the scenes at the talent development lab-meets-industry market.
The TorinoFilmLab (Tfl) can be hard to classify. On the one hand, it is a talent development initiative with an emphasis on art and craft; on the other, serious business is frequently done at the annual two-day meeting.
Filmmakers describe it in hallowed tones, referring to a “sacred” space, as sharp-eyed sales agents, producers and financiers attend in search of fresh projects to add to their market slates.
What is not hard to assess is Tfl’s success. Filmmakers to have participated in the past few years have gone on to...
The TorinoFilmLab (Tfl) can be hard to classify. On the one hand, it is a talent development initiative with an emphasis on art and craft; on the other, serious business is frequently done at the annual two-day meeting.
Filmmakers describe it in hallowed tones, referring to a “sacred” space, as sharp-eyed sales agents, producers and financiers attend in search of fresh projects to add to their market slates.
What is not hard to assess is Tfl’s success. Filmmakers to have participated in the past few years have gone on to...
- 12/4/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Three very different movies, original, with arthouse cred and in theaters for weeks, are drawing audiences showing welcome depth and breadth in the specialty market as awards season kicks off. Nicolas Cage’s nerdy character sees his life collapse when he randomly starts appearing in people’s dreams as Dream Scenario has a solid expansion, Saltburn is attracting young crowds on the coasts, The Holdovers drawing elusive older demos to theaters.
Meanwhile, Bollywood’s Animal showcases the ongoing strength of Indian films Stateside. The revenge thriller starring Ranbir Kapoor racked up an estimated $6.14 million on about 700 screens over the three days, the second biggest opening weekend of all time for a Bollywood film in North America behind Pathaan, taking the no. 7 slot at the North. American box office.
A24’s Dream Scenario has an estimated weekend gross of about $1.69 million in a major expansion...
Meanwhile, Bollywood’s Animal showcases the ongoing strength of Indian films Stateside. The revenge thriller starring Ranbir Kapoor racked up an estimated $6.14 million on about 700 screens over the three days, the second biggest opening weekend of all time for a Bollywood film in North America behind Pathaan, taking the no. 7 slot at the North. American box office.
A24’s Dream Scenario has an estimated weekend gross of about $1.69 million in a major expansion...
- 12/3/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The International Chopin Piano Competition is the closest thing that concert pianists have to the Olympics. You might even say that, since the prestigious contest only happens every five years, the Olympics are the closest thing that athletes have to the International Chopin Piano Competition. Twice a decade, the world’s greatest virtuosos descend upon the city of Warsaw for a grueling three weeks of trials in which every mistake is placed under the world’s largest microscope. Contestants are limited to performing the works of Frédéric Chopin, so there’s little room to mask errors with creativity. Win the contest, and you’re on a fast track to classical music superstardom. Play a wrong note? Your dreams of glory are instantly dashed.
“Pianoforte,” Jakub Piatek’s documentary about the 2021 competition (postponed from its original 2020 date), follows a group of young musicians during their three weeks in Warsaw vying for the title.
“Pianoforte,” Jakub Piatek’s documentary about the 2021 competition (postponed from its original 2020 date), follows a group of young musicians during their three weeks in Warsaw vying for the title.
- 11/30/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
The 2023 IDA Documentary Awards has officially unveiled its list of nominees.
The 39th annual awards ceremony for the International Documentary Association will take place virtually on December 12, streaming on documentary.org, as well as the IDA YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels. The awards recognize the top films and projects in the documentary genre.
Nominees include “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” about how a Ugandan pop star disrupted the national political landscape; “Pianoforte,” following the prestigious international piano competition; and HBO documentary “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.” The shortlist for the nominees was announced earlier this year
The decision to hold the 2023 IDA Documentary Awards virtually was in part due to the current geopolitical landscape, according to IDA Interim Executive Director Ken Ikeda.
“In the wake of devastating events unfolding in the world and the grief our staff, board, community, and humanity at large are experiencing, we have decided to forego an in-person party,...
The 39th annual awards ceremony for the International Documentary Association will take place virtually on December 12, streaming on documentary.org, as well as the IDA YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels. The awards recognize the top films and projects in the documentary genre.
Nominees include “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” about how a Ugandan pop star disrupted the national political landscape; “Pianoforte,” following the prestigious international piano competition; and HBO documentary “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.” The shortlist for the nominees was announced earlier this year
The decision to hold the 2023 IDA Documentary Awards virtually was in part due to the current geopolitical landscape, according to IDA Interim Executive Director Ken Ikeda.
“In the wake of devastating events unfolding in the world and the grief our staff, board, community, and humanity at large are experiencing, we have decided to forego an in-person party,...
- 11/21/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Premiering at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, Jakub Piatek’s documentary Pianoforte goes inside the International Chopin Piano Competition, held only once every five years, in which the world’s most talented young pianists compete. Now set for a release on December 1 from Greenwich Entertainment, the first trailer has arrived.
Here’s the official synopsis: “During the preliminary round, there are 160 of them. Then, about 80. Then 40. At last, only 10 lucky ones make it to the final. These are the contestants in the legendary International Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in Warsaw, Poland. Pianoforte follows an eclectic group of young musicians from around the world who have prepared since they were children for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Offering a rare behind the scenes look backstage at the triumphant highs and crushing lows of competition, filmmaker Jakub Piatek captures the intense pressure these musicians face in an experience that combines...
Here’s the official synopsis: “During the preliminary round, there are 160 of them. Then, about 80. Then 40. At last, only 10 lucky ones make it to the final. These are the contestants in the legendary International Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in Warsaw, Poland. Pianoforte follows an eclectic group of young musicians from around the world who have prepared since they were children for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Offering a rare behind the scenes look backstage at the triumphant highs and crushing lows of competition, filmmaker Jakub Piatek captures the intense pressure these musicians face in an experience that combines...
- 10/30/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
"They train their whole lives..." Greenwich Ent. has revealed an official trailer for a documentary film called Pianoforte, made by Polish filmmaker Jakub Piatek. This initially premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it received a warm reception during the fest. The film is a fly-on-the-wall profile of young pianists taking part in the legendary International Chopin Piano Competition (in Poland). A unique chance of a lifetime, portrayed from backstage and set to Chopin's music. The world's most talented young pianists compete in this prestigious competition, known as the place where the greatest pianists are rewarded and immortalized, held every five years in Warsaw. The film presents a rare behind the scenes look at the triumphant highs and crushing lows of competition. It is both a testament to the remarkable power of music and an intimate coming-of-age portrait. It's a captivating journey into this world most of us aren't familiar with,...
- 10/25/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Coming of age in the world of professional musicians is another feat unto itself.
Documentary “Pianoforte,” which premiered at Sundance 2023, follows talented young musicians as they compete in the International Chopin Piano Competition, which is held every five years in Warsaw, Poland. “Pianoforte” is directed by “Prime Time” helmer Jakub Piatek and debuted in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the Sundance Film Festival this year.
Per the official synopsis, the film charts the “highest highs and lowest lows for this select group of musicians as the competition unfolds. The film is both a testament to the remarkable power of music and an intimate coming-of-age portrait.”
Greenwich Entertainment is handling U.S. distribution for the Telemark documentary. “Pianoforte” is produced by Maciej Kubicki (“Kubrick by Kubrick”). The feature was co-funded by the Polish Film Institute and co-produced by HBO Max with BBC Storyville acquiring U.K. rights. The film was shot during the pandemic,...
Documentary “Pianoforte,” which premiered at Sundance 2023, follows talented young musicians as they compete in the International Chopin Piano Competition, which is held every five years in Warsaw, Poland. “Pianoforte” is directed by “Prime Time” helmer Jakub Piatek and debuted in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the Sundance Film Festival this year.
Per the official synopsis, the film charts the “highest highs and lowest lows for this select group of musicians as the competition unfolds. The film is both a testament to the remarkable power of music and an intimate coming-of-age portrait.”
Greenwich Entertainment is handling U.S. distribution for the Telemark documentary. “Pianoforte” is produced by Maciej Kubicki (“Kubrick by Kubrick”). The feature was co-funded by the Polish Film Institute and co-produced by HBO Max with BBC Storyville acquiring U.K. rights. The film was shot during the pandemic,...
- 10/25/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The fall festival circuit features a powerhouse lineup of Polish cinema that showcases an industry in full stride, with hard-hitting topical dramas, award-season hopefuls and potential box-office breakouts highlighting the strength and diversity of filmmaking in a country with a storied cinematic history.
Among the hotly anticipated premieres at this week’s Toronto Film Festival is “The Peasants,” a lavish, hand-painted animated feature from the filmmaking team behind Oscar nominee and box-office sensation “Loving Vincent.” Meanwhile, three-time Oscar nominee Agnieszka Holland will be on hand for the North American premiere of “Green Border,” her searing portrayal of Europe’s refugee crisis that just bowed in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
Also on the Lido, two-time Berlin Silver Bear winner Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert are vying for the Golden Lion with “Woman Of,” their decades-spanning portrait of a transgender Polish woman on a journey of self-discovery.
Producer Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska,...
Among the hotly anticipated premieres at this week’s Toronto Film Festival is “The Peasants,” a lavish, hand-painted animated feature from the filmmaking team behind Oscar nominee and box-office sensation “Loving Vincent.” Meanwhile, three-time Oscar nominee Agnieszka Holland will be on hand for the North American premiere of “Green Border,” her searing portrayal of Europe’s refugee crisis that just bowed in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
Also on the Lido, two-time Berlin Silver Bear winner Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert are vying for the Golden Lion with “Woman Of,” their decades-spanning portrait of a transgender Polish woman on a journey of self-discovery.
Producer Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The 2023 Nantucket Film Festival, running June 21-26, with kick off with four films on its opening day lineup. For the 12th consecutive year, a Disney and Pixar movie will open the festival with “Elemental,” which premieres in May at the Cannes International Film Festival.
Also on Day 1 are Sophie Barthes’ “The Pod Generation,” coming off stops at Sundance and Sarasota — Barthes will also receive the inaugural Maria Mitchell Visionary Award for the film; SXSW-premiere documentary “Joan Baez I am a Noise,” with Baez herself in attendance; and Austrian documentary “Patrick and the Whale,” which premiered at TIFF 2022.
Recent Bleecker Street acquisition “Jules,” starring Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, and Jane Curtin, will be the closing-night film.
Guests announced to be in attendance include Michaela Watkins (“You Hurt My Feelings”), Allison Williams (“M3GAN”), Lola Tung (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”), Graham Greene (“Dances with Wolves”), and Julio Torres (“Problemista”).
Other films...
Also on Day 1 are Sophie Barthes’ “The Pod Generation,” coming off stops at Sundance and Sarasota — Barthes will also receive the inaugural Maria Mitchell Visionary Award for the film; SXSW-premiere documentary “Joan Baez I am a Noise,” with Baez herself in attendance; and Austrian documentary “Patrick and the Whale,” which premiered at TIFF 2022.
Recent Bleecker Street acquisition “Jules,” starring Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, and Jane Curtin, will be the closing-night film.
Guests announced to be in attendance include Michaela Watkins (“You Hurt My Feelings”), Allison Williams (“M3GAN”), Lola Tung (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”), Graham Greene (“Dances with Wolves”), and Julio Torres (“Problemista”).
Other films...
- 4/26/2023
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival marks its 40th edition, running March 3-12, with a full-blown return to the in-person festival experience with a sidebar of only 10 titles available online.
“We’re celebrating the human connection and getting back into cinemas again,” says programming head Lauren Cohen who in her first year flying solo at the helm, is putting her personal stamp on the festival with female-centric topics dominating the Master Classes.
“It’s our 40th anniversary, which is such a milestone for us, we want it to be bigger and better than ever,” she continues.
Opening with Ray Romano’s directorial debut “Somewhere in Queens” and wrapping with Stephen Frears’ “The Lost King,” this edition features a dozen world premieres, three North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres and 14 East Coast premieres.
Given Miami’s allure and reputation as a music capital, a serendipitous number of this year...
“We’re celebrating the human connection and getting back into cinemas again,” says programming head Lauren Cohen who in her first year flying solo at the helm, is putting her personal stamp on the festival with female-centric topics dominating the Master Classes.
“It’s our 40th anniversary, which is such a milestone for us, we want it to be bigger and better than ever,” she continues.
Opening with Ray Romano’s directorial debut “Somewhere in Queens” and wrapping with Stephen Frears’ “The Lost King,” this edition features a dozen world premieres, three North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres and 14 East Coast premieres.
Given Miami’s allure and reputation as a music capital, a serendipitous number of this year...
- 3/3/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Jakub Piątek’s documentary Pianoforte follows several young participants in the International Chopin Piano Competition, which has been held in Warsaw every five years since 1927. The competitors navigate intense qualifying rules, several stages and the intimidating presence of world renowned jurors as they vie for a shot at professional recognition. Editor Ula Klimek-Piątek, also the filmmaker’s spouse, discusses the process of cutting the documentary, including the “magic” often captured on stage that was palpable “even in the dark editing room.” See all responses to our annual Sundance editor interviews here. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the […]
The post “We Wanted To Create a Mosaic Film”: Editor Ula Klimek-Piątek on Pianoforte first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “We Wanted To Create a Mosaic Film”: Editor Ula Klimek-Piątek on Pianoforte first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/6/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Jakub Piątek’s documentary Pianoforte follows several young participants in the International Chopin Piano Competition, which has been held in Warsaw every five years since 1927. The competitors navigate intense qualifying rules, several stages and the intimidating presence of world renowned jurors as they vie for a shot at professional recognition. Editor Ula Klimek-Piątek, also the filmmaker’s spouse, discusses the process of cutting the documentary, including the “magic” often captured on stage that was palpable “even in the dark editing room.” See all responses to our annual Sundance editor interviews here. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the […]
The post “We Wanted To Create a Mosaic Film”: Editor Ula Klimek-Piątek on Pianoforte first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “We Wanted To Create a Mosaic Film”: Editor Ula Klimek-Piątek on Pianoforte first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/6/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Every 5 years, young piano prodigies from all over the world flock to Warsaw to test their mettle and skills in one of the most prestigious piano competitions on earth, the Chopin Piano Competition. For contestants, the competition is not just about the €40,000 cash prize. After all, as one contestant puts it, the prize money can be spent and you can still die impoverished and unknown. Instead, its is the esteem that comes with placing 1st, and the countless opportunities for the future that are offered to the winners. In Pianoforte, Jakub Piatek follows a handful of aspiring young pianists as they struggle through a grueling twenty one day contest which pits 87 pianists from 18 different countries against one another. Each subject is more interesting than the last, each one with their own unique traits and eccentricities that make them seem plucked from some music themed shonen manga. It is almost impossible...
- 1/23/2023
- by Ty Cooper
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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