Figure 1.-- Here we see Clément Mathieu and the boys he turned into a choir. Click on the image to see the rest of the group. |
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The story has been described as highlighting "the redemptive power of music". It is also a story of an inspirational teacher who changed the lives of his students. The film is set in the 1940s at an undistinguished rural school. It is a special boarding school for delinquent or orphaned boys, a kind of reformatory. The children have been discarded by their families are have no families. They are ???, even defiant. The teachers are frustrated and have stopped really trying tp reach the children. Clément Mathieu, a unremployed music teacher, is hired by Monsieur Rachin, the very strict, if not brutal principal. By introducing his pupils to music he changes their lives. A wonderful moment in this film occurs when the choir is asked to perform for the regents of the school (despite the principal's objections). Pierre, the boy with the amazing voice (played by Jean-Baptiste Maunier) is allowed to perform a solo part of the song, although not expecting to due to an incident earlier in the film with the director. The expression of joy on his face not only wonderfully conveyed by Maunier, but the observation voice-over by the director (Gerard Jugnot) describing the look of pride, joy at being forgiven, and gratitude on the boys face really highlight the impact a caring, compassionate teacher can have on a child's life.
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