# The Chorus

> 2004 film by Christophe Barratier

**Wikidata**: [Q721158](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q721158)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chorus_(2004_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-chorus

## Summary

The Chorus is a 2004 French musical drama film directed by Christophe Barratier, featuring a story about a teacher who transforms a group of troubled students into a choir at a boarding school in 1949 France. The film became an international success, earning the European Film Award for Best Composer and achieving significant box office performance across multiple countries.

## Key Facts

- **Title**: The Chorus (French: Les Choristes)
- **Director**: Christophe Barratier
- **Release Year**: 2004
- **Country of Origin**: France
- **Production Company**: Pathé (French media production and theater businesses, founded 1896)
- **Genre**: Musical film, Drama film
- **Language**: French
- **Notable Cast Member**: Didier Flamand (French actor)
- **Award Recognition**: European Film Award for Best Composer (established 1989)
- **Sitelink Count**: 38 (Wikipedia references)
- **Official Website**: http://www.leschoristes-lefilm.com
- **Setting Period**: 1949
- **Setting Location**: France

## FAQs

**What is The Chorus about?**

The Chorus follows a new music teacher at a strict French boarding school in 1949 who discovers a group of troubled students and decides to form a choir, using music to transform their lives and discipline.

**Where was The Chorus filmed?**

The film was produced in France, with additional production connections to Switzerland, reflecting the Franco-Swiss collaborative nature of the project.

**Who directed The Chorus?**

The film was directed by Christophe Barratier, making it one of his notable directorial works in the early 2000s.

**What awards did The Chorus win?**

The Chorus received the European Film Award for Best Composer, recognizing the film's musical excellence and the impactful choral performances that became a signature element of the movie.

**What genre does The Chorus belong to?**

The film is classified as both a musical film and a drama film, combining emotional storytelling with significant musical elements centered around the choir.

**What production company made The Chorus?**

The film was produced by Pathé, one of France's oldest and most prominent media production and theater businesses, founded in 1896.

## Why It Matters

The Chorus matters because it represents a significant achievement in French cinema's ability to create universally resonant stories that transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries. The film's exploration of redemption through music struck a chord with audiences worldwide, demonstrating that themes of education, mentorship, and artistic expression possess timeless appeal. The success of the film helped revitalize interest in choral music and inspired numerous adaptations and remakes across different countries. Its commercial performance in multiple markets proved that European productions could achieve international success without relying solely on Hollywood formulas. The film's impact extends beyond entertainment, as it has been used in educational contexts to demonstrate the transformative power of music education and the importance of creative approaches to working with youth.

## Notable For

- International box office success spanning multiple continents
- Award-winning musical score that became iconic
- Featuring the performances of the Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc choir
- Being one of the most successful French films of 2004
- Inspiring adaptations in multiple countries including China, Japan, and South Korea
- Critical acclaim for its emotional storytelling and performances
- Didier Flamand's notable performance as part of the ensemble cast

## Body

### Production Background

The Chorus was developed by Pathé, the venerable French media production and distribution company established in 1896. Pathé's involvement provided the film with significant production resources and international distribution capabilities, leveraging the company's extensive network across European markets and beyond. The production timeline placed the film in the early 2000s French cinema renaissance, a period when several French films achieved notable international success.

### Cast and Performances

Didier Flamand, a French actor with citizenship in France, contributed to the ensemble cast of the film. His involvement represents the tradition of quality acting talent in French cinema, with performers who bring depth and authenticity to dramatic roles. The film is particularly noted for featuring the Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc, whose performances became integral to the film's identity and emotional impact.

### Musical Elements

The film's musical foundation earned it the European Film Award for Best Composer, recognizing the exceptional quality of the original score and the effective integration of choral performances throughout the narrative. The combination of classical choral repertoire and original compositions created a distinctive sound that resonated with audiences and contributed significantly to the film's emotional power.

### Genre Classification

The Chorus operates within two interconnected genres: the musical film and the drama film. As a musical film, it utilizes song and musical performance as essential narrative elements that advance the story and reveal character. As a drama film, it explores serious themes of redemption, education, and personal transformation with emotional depth and psychological complexity.

### International Reception

The film's production connections extend beyond France to Switzerland, reflecting the collaborative nature of European film production. The international appeal of the story—centered on universal themes of education, music, and human transformation—enabled the film to find audiences across diverse cultural contexts. The sitelink count of 38 indicates substantial Wikipedia coverage across multiple language editions, suggesting strong international interest and documentation.

### Historical Context

Set in 1949 France, the film draws on historical traditions of French choral music education and the boarding school system. The post-war setting provides additional emotional resonance, as the characters navigate a period of reconstruction and renewal. This historical grounding distinguishes the film from purely contemporary stories and connects it to broader traditions of European artistic and educational culture.

### Distribution and Marketing

The official website at http://www.leschoristes-lefilm.com served as the primary digital presence for the film, providing information about screenings, the production, and related content. Pathé's distribution expertise ensured the film reached audiences through appropriate theatrical channels in France and international markets.

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/pan-od-muzyki)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372824/)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=50325.html)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film458038.html)
5. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/les-choristes-chorus-film)
6. europeanfilmawards.eu
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-chorus)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372824/fullcredits)
9. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/European-Film-Awards-Winners-2004.69.0.html)
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2004.102.0.html)
12. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2004.120.0.html)
13. The Movie Database
14. The Chorus. Rotten Tomatoes
15. Unifrance
16. The Chorus
17. IMDb
18. Lexicon of international films
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. [Source](https://www.lamontagne.fr/ravel-63190/actualites/le-chateau-de-ravel-de-philippe-le-bel-aux-choristes_11952160/)
21. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/les-choristes/)
22. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/choristes-les/)
23. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
24. [Source](https://www.unifrance.org/film/24171)
25. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
26. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/108037)
27. Online-Filmdatenbank
28. mymovies.it
29. Danish Film Database
30. Trakt.tv
31. FilmVandaag.nl