November 2020: the audience follows Janine fly-on-the wall from initial research and rehearsals in Stockholm, to a hectic month in London where, accompanied on the piano by Pappano, the legendary Director of the Royal Opera, she becomes acquainted with each of the violins and select works that fit them best. Made by the legendary luthier Antonio Stradivarius, some of these violins have not been played for 200 years while others belonged to the greatest virtuosos ever, including Fritz Kreisler, Nathan Milstein, Ida Haendel and Oscar Shumsky, all featured in the film in powerful archive. Learning their histories, and coming to grips with their foibles, Janine then falls ill with Covid. Nevertheless, in a virtuoso feat of determination, she recovers to rehearse and record this astonishing album with just a day to spare before the first violin must be returned to its owner. This is a nerve-wracking, intense, and hugely exciting film, where, up close and personal, we see not only what makes these the most unique stringed instruments in the world, but also the enormous humour, spark and energy that drives two of the world’s leading musicians at the top of their creative game.

Janine Jansen embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record a new album on twelve of the greatest violins to have ever been created.

Janine Jansen: Falling for Stradivari

Hip-hop dance would never have reached the great international stages without Mourad Merzouki. A recognised choreographer, his shows are now touring worldwide, with more than 2800 performances in 58 countries. The film offers an immersion into the heart of his next creation: Vertikal. In the middle of his troupe of dancers and close to Mourad, we participate in the creative process backstage, until the first performance – between doubt and creative impulse. With an objective: to defy gravity and create a visual vertigo. Through Mourad’s confidences and moments stolen from his busy life, we discover his influences, his artistic career and his universe. Thus emerges the portrait of one of the most promising choreographers of his generation. 

An immersion into the heart of Mourad Merzouki's next creation: Vertikal.

Mourad Merzouki: Dance Alchemist

Filmed on location with Cirque Du Soleil performers, this documentary offers an intimate look at their lives on and off the stage. 

A behind the scenes look at people chasing their dreams and pushing their bodies to the limits.

An intimate documentary following the world-renowned performers of Cirque Du Soleil.

Grazing The Sky - The Art of Cirque Du Soleil

Anne-Sophie Mutter’s and Herbert von Karajan’s version of the Beethoven Violin Concerto. Interviews with Anne-Sophie Mutter, Lisa Batiashvili, Robin Ticciati, Wilfried Strehle

Anne-Sophie Mutter’s and Herbert von Karajan’s version of the Beethoven Violin Concerto.

AnneSophie Mutter and Herbert von Karajan: The Beethoven Summit: Magic Moments of Music

ln September 2019 begins Kent Nagano's sixteenth and final season at the head of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM). As time for farewell approaches, Nagano confides on classical music, his attachment to Montreal and the OSM, and the communion that a concert can be. First and foremost, the film tells the story of the formidable relationship that developed between the Maestro and the Montreal people over the years.

The end of a long relationship is always emotionally charged. During the conductor's last season, we are following Mr. Nagano in his environment, with his close collaborators as well as with his circle, the community and the public. We have the privilege of ""reading over his shoulder"", in a way: there, in his dressing room, preparing to share Bruckner; here, in a rehearsal, discussing the Christmas oratorio.

While doing so, director Michel Barbeau captures the ""essence"" of Mr. Nagano, as he shares his thoughts on events that marked his fifteen previous seasons. We then go back in time to find other characters, in the settings that Maestro Nagano came to meet them, whether it be the Lac-Mégantic tragedy in 2013; when he launched the initiative La musique aux enfants in Montréal-Nord in 2008; when he celebrated the centennial of the Canadian Hockey Club at the Bell Center in 2009; or when he offered the grand Symphonie Montréalaise in 2017, for the 375th anniversary of Montreal. These characters share the emotions that moved them when the OSM and its leader were there, with their sometimes soothing, sometimes comforting, always fraternal and transcendent music.

Nagano's Sixteen Seasons is not a biographical film; it is the inner journey of a man who will leave a city, a stranger who will bid farewell to a people, a conductor who enjoys his last moments with this group, the OSM, which was his ""crew of wonders"". This documentary essentially conveys two things: the emotion of an ending, and the emotion - so complex and rich - of classical music.

Kent Nagano's sixteenth and final season approaches, he confides on classical music, his attachment to Montreal and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Nagano's Sixteen Seasons

When the singers Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle step on to the Carnegie Hall stage on March 18, 1990, an aura of history pervades America’s most renowned concert hall. On this occasion, the two sopranos – considered among the world’s very best – will go on to create a monument to the Afro-American musical tradition and make a powerful musical statement in an era of conservative rollback in the United States.

In 1990 at Carnegie Hall, Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle create a monument to the Afro-American musical tradition.

Kathleen Battle & Jessye Norman sing Spirituals: Magic Moments of Music

After 60 years absence from Russia, Vladimir Horowitz returned to his home country for the first time. Interviews with Peter Gelb, Martha Argerich, Daniil Trifonov and Sophie Pacini.

After 60 years absence from Russia, Vladimir Horowitz returned to his home country for the first time.

Vladimir Horowitz: The Moscow Concert: Magic Moments of Music

Hosted by Martin Scorsese with insight from church parishioners and comedian Jim Gaffigan (along with his wife and his five kids), The Oratorio is a documentary about the roots of opera in New York City.

Hosted by Martin Scorsese, The Oratorio is a documentary about the roots of opera in New York City.

The Oratorio: A Documentary with Martin Scorsese

In April of 1975, a piece of music history is made in London's Fairfield Hall: the legendary pianist Arthur Rubinstein, who is gradually going blind, wants to leave a legacy to the world. Chopin's Second Piano Concerto has accompanied him throughout his life. At Fairfield Hall, Rubinstein brings it to life a final time in his warm-hearted, lyrical style. For this occasion, Arthur Rubinstein returns to London, where he made his debut 63 years earlier. Now 88 years old, he is a living legend, on a par with the great composers like Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky. It is the finale of a lifetime of achievement and a grandiose performance from a past master.

April of 1975, a piece of music history is made in London's Fairfield Hall. Legendary pianist Arthur Rubinstein wants to leave a legacy to the world.

Arthur Rubinstein: Farewell to Chopin: Magic Moments of Music

Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose) by Richard Strauss is the quintessential opera of the Salzburg Festival. In 1960, the opera was conducted by Herbert von Karajan at Salzburg’s brand-new Great Festival Hall, where it was captured on 35mm film. Star soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf sings the greatest role of her life – a legendary performance that is revived by this unique document. Performing alongside her are Anna Prohaska and cultural multi-talent André Heller.

In 1960, Der Rosenkavalier was conducted by Herbert von Karajan at Salzburg’s brand-new Great Festival Hall.

Der Rosenkavalier by Herbert von Karajan: Magic Moments of Music

Uproar, disruption, violent dispute – this was the response to the much-anticipated centenary of the Bayreuth Festival in 1976, which was to be marked by a new production of Richard Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung. But before Pierre Boulez could step up to the conductor’s podium and the curtain could rise on Bayreuth’s Green Hill for Patrice Chéreau’s bold new production, the festival was rocked by artistic and political upheaval. The film tells how one of the greatest scandals in opera went on to become one of the greatest musical moments of all.

Uproar, disruption, violent dispute – this was the response to the much-anticipated centenary of the Bayreuth Festival in 1976.

The 1976 Centenary Ring: Magic Moments of Music

The performance of La Traviata at the 2005 Salzburg Festival drew attention from all over the world: It is not the first time on stage together for Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón in the leading roles – but it is here in Salzburg that they finally rise to superstardom. Each are brilliant on their own, but under the direction of Willy Decker, they shine above all as a couple, playing to the fantasies of the audience. Opera stars had never before been so up-close and personal, and had never been so present in the media. Previously unseen rehearsal scenes and interviews with Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Thomas Hampson and Willy Decker bring this magic moment of music to life.

The performance of La Traviata at the 2005 Salzburg Festival causes Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón to rise to superstardom.

Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazón sing La Traviata: Magic Moments of Music

The film explores what it takes to turn eight individuals into one formidable dance company and follows the process from first auditions, through bootcamp training and creating work - right up to our recent performance.

Documentary capturing the rise of all-male dance company, BalletBoyz from first auditions to a performance in Addis Ababa City Hall, Ethiopia.

BalletBoyz: Next Generation

In this documentary the effervescent mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli takes us behind the scenes at some of the most prestigious, brilliant spectacles in which she has starred in Europe’s most renowned theatres. She is accompanied by artistes of the calibre of Barenboim, Dudamel, Pappano, Argerich and Jaroussky with whom she has forged a relationship based not only on great professionalism, but also on friendship and empathy, regaling the public with engaging, outstanding performances.

Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli takes us behind the scenes at some of the most prestigious, brilliant spectacles in Europe’s most renowned theatres.

Cecilia Bartoli and Friends

The journey of dancer and choreographer Marion Motin is out of the ordinary. Passionate about hip-hop, this self-taught woman from Normandy has become an artist coveted by the greatest international pop stars. Madonna, Robbie Williams, Stromae, Christine & The Queens: she choreographs their performances, their videos to the point that we all know her without even realizing it. Before becoming a name, Marion was a unique choreographic signature. 

From street battles, through the glitter of US shows, to the dance academies which now solicit her: Marion is always in the right place. A place she has conquered through her talent, charisma and values drawn from the family clan and the wild land where she grew up and where she still lives.

After having created a lot for others, at just 40 years old and a young mother, she faces a new challenge. A more personal creation, which she signs in her name: LE GRAND SOT. In the countdown to the premiere of this show, through her intense daily life where she juggles between a thousand projects (Angèle's and Catherine Ringer's tour, Jean-Paul Gauthier's Fashion Freak Show residency in Madrid,...) and a thousand destinations, we try to unravel the mystery of this powerful woman.

Where does she draw her inspiration, her influences, her energy? How did she impose herself without compromising? In what way is dance for Marion a language that allows her to address these universal questions of sorority, diversity, gender and femininity? Friends, family, collaborators, troupe... all those who rub shoulders with her say that she has the energy of ten people, that she is a combination of power and gentleness: it is her nearly animalistic attitude that has brought her the nickname LOUVE (wolf).

Passionate about hip-hop, self-taught Marion Motin from Normandy has become an artist coveted by the greatest international pop stars.

Marion Motin: Dance with the Wolf

The story of the most important instrument you’ve never thought of. The Bowmakers explores the world of the bow and the extraordinary masters who make them. The bow is the Cinderella of the orchestra—the overworked and overshadowed ally to its more glamorous partners. Few people, even lovers of classical music, think of the bow as an instrument in its own right, but players of stringed instruments see them differently. To musicians, the bow is as essential to expressing the soul of the music as the violin or cello itself. The Bowmakers follows the journey from the workshops of the virtuosos of the trade, to the birthplace of the bow in France, and to Brazil, home to the tree from which the world’s finest bows are made.

The Bowmakers explores the world of the bow and the extraordinary masters who make them.

Amy Winehouse: Other Voices

Cast & Crew

You may also like