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Le Concert (film)

Directed by Romanian-born Radu Mihaileanu, Le Concert centres around musician Andrei Filipov (Aleksei Guskov). Filipov conducted the famous Bolshoi orchestra in Russia 30 years ago during the Soviet regime but was fired for hiring Jewish musicians.

Now a janitor in the same company, his dream is to perform on stage again. Fate helps him out, and he comes across an invitation for the Bolshoi orchestra to perform in Paris. He gathers all his former musicians and a young virtuoso (Melanie Laurent) to go to Paris.

Like many French movies, the film is filled with intense emotions and desires, and some fun and crazy moments. The political background gives a chilling effect. Seeing famous musicians lose their jobs because of political reasons and turn into alcoholics and street vendors is cruel yet believable.

Guskov and Laurent are both captivating performers. But the story is not particularly original and some parts are predictable. It is also a bit long and some scenes could have been done away with.

But the audience will forgive all when it comes to the last scene - listening to the whole of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major, Op 35 will make you cry.

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