„Pianoforte” with Best Music Documentary nomination from IDA
“Pianoforte” by Jakub Piątek received Best Music Documentary nomination from International Documentary Association. Film, co-financed by Polish Film Institute, had its World premiere during Sundance 2023 and opens in American cinemas on December 1st. Watch an intriguing interview with the director during IDA FallDocs.
Jakub Piątek was a guest of IDA FallDocs in October, where he answered questions by Matt Carey about his approach to filmmaking, the power of music and inspirations for his breakthrough documentary. Take a look at what he had to say:
“Pianoforte” is a second feature film by Jakub Piątek. After the success of “Prime Time”, the young Polish filmmaker turned his eyes on the Chopin Competition and the pianists competing in the 18th edition of a well-known event. The film has been compared to “Game of Thrones” and “Whiplash” by critics, by the way the competition is stark and emotions are flying high.
Now, this singular view of performing arts has been honored with a nomination from IDA – the International Documentary Association, which selects the best international documentaries every year.
“Pianoforte” will represent Poland in the special Best Music Documentary section, where it will compete against four other films.
“Pianoforte”’s nomination isn’t the only chance for Poland to win an award during IDA Documentary Awards on December 12th. “In the Rearview” by Maciek Hamela and “Apolonia, Apolonia” by Lea Glob will compete in the Best Feature Documentary section. (link)
“Pianoforte” – what is it about?
“Pianoforte” is a gripping story about the coming-of-age participants of the legendary Chopin Competition. Eighty-seven remarkable musicians advanced to the first stage of the last edition in 2021, and after over a dozen days, only the best twelve were qualified for the finale. The main characters are young people from all over the world. They have one thing in common – since childhood, they have devoted themselves completely to playing the piano.
Their struggles are a real emotional roller coaster. They have to learn to resist the huge pressure connected with competition. For the first time in history, the film crew managed to peek to such an extent behind the scenes of the National Philharmonic in Warsaw to show the atmosphere of the pressure of the competition there. Jakub Piątek also accompanies the characters in their daily lives, presenting the multidimensional picture of talented people with extraordinary personalities.
POLAND, GERMANY 2023
Screenplay and director: Jakub Piątek
Cinematography: Filip Drożdż
Editing: Ula Klimek-Piątek
Producers: Maciej Kubicki (Telemark), co:producers: Artur Szklener, Joanna Chorzępa (Fryderyk Chopin Institute), Anna Spisz (Mazovia Warsaw Film Commission), Mateusz Wajda and Paweł Ziemilski (MX35), alongside: Hanka Kastelicova (HBO ) and BBC Storyville (Lucie Kon).