The Chorus (2004)

The new teacher at a severely administered boys' boarding school works to positively affect the students' lives through music.

Director:

Christophe Barratier

Writers:

Georges Chaperot, René Wheeler

Stars:

Gérard Jugnot, François Berléand, Jean-Baptiste Maunier

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Jugnot	...	Clément Mathieu
François Berléand	...	Headmaster Rachin
Kad Merad	...	Chabert
Jean-Paul Bonnaire	...	La Père Maxence
Marie Bunel	...	Violette Morhange
Jean-Baptiste Maunier	...	Pierre Morhange
Maxence Perrin	...	Pépinot
Grégory Gatignol	...	Mondain
Thomas Blumenthal	...	Corbin
Cyril Bernicot	...	Le Querrec
Simon Fargeot	...	Boniface
Théodule Carré-Cassaigne	...	Leclerc
Philippe du Janerand	...	Monsieur Langlois
Carole Weiss	...	La Comtesse
Erick Desmarestz	...	Le Docteur Dervaux

Storyline

Fond de l'Etang is a boarding school for troubled boys located in the French countryside. In the mid-twentieth century, it is run by the principal M. Rachin, an egotistical disciplinarian whose official unofficial mantra for the school is "action - reaction", meaning that there will be severe consequences for any boy out of line. This approach does not seem to be working as the boys as a collective are an unruly bunch. In turn, the teachers don't teach, but are always watching out for the next subversive act from the boys. January 15, 1949 marks the arrival to the school of the new supervisor, M. Clément Mathieu, a middle-aged man who is grasping at finding his place in life after a series of failed endeavors. Although he does find the boys an unruly lot, Mathieu does not believe in the "action - reaction" policy, and as such, butts heads with Rachin while secretly undermining the policy. Slowly, Mathieu's approach of trying to match the discipline to the crime does have a positive ...

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Plot Keywords:

boy | school | teacher | boarding school | choir | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language/sexual references and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook

Country:

France Switzerland Germany

Language:

French

Release Date:

17 March 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

The Chorus

Filming Locations:

Château de Ravel, Puy-de-Dôme, France

Box Office

Budget:

€5,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,193,442 (France), 19 March 2004

Opening Weekend USA:

$23,239, 16 January 2005, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,635,164

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$83,580,170

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vega Film, Banque Populaire Images 4, CP Medien AG

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shot in the middle of summer which was hard for the cast to wear winter clothes since the scenes were supposed to be in winter (in January) .

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Goofs

When the now-bandaged Maxence shows Mathieu around on his first day he shows him a wall with photos of the school benefactresses and the motto "Labor improdus omnia vincit" which is attributed to Virgil. But the second word is incorrect - it should read "improbus". Translations vary but it means something like "Persistent hard work conquers everything."

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Quotes

Clément Mathieu: [Mathieu finds Pépinot sitting on the stairs] What are you doing down here?
Pépinot enfant: I don't have the right to go upstairs.
Clément Mathieu: What do you mean you don't have the right?
Pépinot enfant: I don't have any money.
Clément Mathieu: What?
Pépinot enfant: I'm not allowed to go upstairs unless I have some money.
Clément Mathieu: Says who?
Pépinot enfant: Mondain.

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Connections

Spoofed in Un point c'est tout! (2009)

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Soundtracks

L'Evocation
Music by Bruno Coulais
Orchestra: Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra-Sif 309, Conductor Deyan Pavlov'
© 2004 Warner Bros. Records,WEA Music (p) 2004 Galatée Films

User Reviews

Perfect

200 people were attending this movie in the theater, when the light went back after the movie was finished, nobody had moved, all the eyes were red. When Jean-Baptiste sings, it just takes you by your guts. The story is fantastic, the music is magic, Jugnot is expectedly grandiose... The picture itself is made "à la" 50s, it's very special but truly desserves the highest awards. I cannot give anything below 10 here. I swear you'll love this movie, if you don't, get back to your pop corn bucket and go and watch that Riddick sh1te, at least you'll get what you desserve.

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