On paper, taking a group of mentally disabled people out to the country and rehearsing them for a few weeks to perform an operetta might seem like a noble purpose with the unspoken proviso that nothing could possibly come of it.
That's where you're wrong. Documentarian Nicolas Philibert ("To Be and To Have") uses his camera to document and interact with the subjects. He becomes 'one of them' and as such is privy to many private moments that communicate volumes.
Philibert is known for shooting widescreen 35mm doc's and in this film the country scenery and summer sunshine are perfectly captured. The outdoor performance of Witold Gombrowicz' "Operette" captures the color of the costumes and texture of the make-up as well as the trans-formative powers of LIVE theater itself.
The patience and encouragement of the production staff is shown off to great effect as dysfunctional candidates are taken through a variety of settings from acting and music rehearsals to the creation of sound effects for the 'thunderstorm' scene.
MUST-SEE viewing for anyone even remotely connected to a mentally ill person or hospital profession. Watching some go from semi-autistic to dancing a waltz on-stage is nothing short of miraculous.
Check this one out (ON the big screen if possible)!!!
That's where you're wrong. Documentarian Nicolas Philibert ("To Be and To Have") uses his camera to document and interact with the subjects. He becomes 'one of them' and as such is privy to many private moments that communicate volumes.
Philibert is known for shooting widescreen 35mm doc's and in this film the country scenery and summer sunshine are perfectly captured. The outdoor performance of Witold Gombrowicz' "Operette" captures the color of the costumes and texture of the make-up as well as the trans-formative powers of LIVE theater itself.
The patience and encouragement of the production staff is shown off to great effect as dysfunctional candidates are taken through a variety of settings from acting and music rehearsals to the creation of sound effects for the 'thunderstorm' scene.
MUST-SEE viewing for anyone even remotely connected to a mentally ill person or hospital profession. Watching some go from semi-autistic to dancing a waltz on-stage is nothing short of miraculous.
Check this one out (ON the big screen if possible)!!!