August Rush: Finding music all around

“Music is all around us. We have to just listen,” says the little boy August Rush in the film with the same title. How true! Think of it; the whole universe is abuzz with music of varied kind. The sounds around us can be noise for some, but music for others. In the silent night, the whirring bees and insects can be irritating for some while melodious to others. The roaring sea is frightening to some and an undulating instrument of supreme music to others. The whole universe is full of music – only to those who have the patience to listen.

Director: Kirsten Sheridan

Film Clip

August Rush seems to convey this message to the audience. It is a film about a family of three separated due to difficult circumstance, but now searching for each other. What is common to the trio and what unites them at the end is music. The little boy, now known as August Rush, is a child prodigy for whom music has come by the fact of birth itself. He has learnt and mastered the musical notes not through human intervention but by his sheer vibrating ability with the world outside. He has mastered the art of converting the ‘noise’ outside into melodious scores within.  And, of course, music helps him in his search and he is not keen on converting his rare talent into a business. He is sure that his search for his parents would not be wasted. 

The film, as expected, is a musical and the songs and the unique ensemble compositions take you to a world of melody throughout. Full points to the protagonist - Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Music itself seems to be a character in the film as it plays as a uniting factor.

 - Melwyn Pinto SJ

The Chorus - education through music

There have been several films which have teacher as the protagonist. To Sir With Love and Freedom Writers come to mind immediately. But this 2004 French film The Chorus (Les Choristes) is unique, because here the teacher uses music to tame and mould a bunch of impossible boys. Thus music is the second protagonist in this film.

Director Christophe Barratier

Film Clip

Clement Mathieu played by Gerard  Jugnot, though looks like a dumb guy, is an exceptional teacher who can very well read the minds of the boys. In fact, he is a genius, which the boys realise but slowly. While their Principal, a Hitler style terror, thinks punishment is the best way to train boys, Mr Mathieu has other ideas. He uses music to engage boys and to discipline them.

Among other things, the music score composed by Bruno Coulais is just superb – it’s sensitive and it’s heart-warming. Further, young Jean-Baptiste Maunier who plays Pierre Morhange is indeed impressive as the gifted singer.

The film, no doubt, raises many a question about the present day education system worldwide, which is bereft of attention to students’ overall well being and focuses largely on dry academics and discipline. While students need to learn discipline in life, there is more than one way to master and impart it, which not many educationists understand. Helping students engage in activities their heart is in and allowing them to discipline themselves would be a far easier way to educate students than the hard way of screams, yells and brickbats. The Chorus seems to suggest just that.

Director Christophe Barratier has been more than successful in brining the best out of the crew to make a well crafted art work that stands out for several reasons.

- Melwyn Pinto SJ