Chevalier is based on the true story of mixed race composer and violinist Joseph Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jnr), who lived, loved and worked in pre-revolutionary France.

Joseph was born out of wedlock from a union between a French plantation owner and one of his slaves. As the boy grows and clearly has a talent for music, his father tears him away from his mother and takes him to a boarding school in France to become a gentleman and have his talent nurtured.

Joseph then grows up to become an acclaimed classical musician, and develops a similar degree of arrogance as his contemporaries who hang around Marie Antoinette’s royal court. The film opens when Joseph challenges Mozart on stage at one of Mozart’s concerts with a show of his own brilliance.

He faces racism throughout his life in France, but was instructed by his father who left him there as a boy that he should counter any prejudice he might face by always pursuing excellence, which is exactly what he does.

Events, both personal and political, unfold as Joseph tries to hold onto both sides of his mixed race identity and navigate the consequences of his own decisions. And, as it turns out, his life and the political life of France are irrevocably intertwined. Chevalier is a visually beautiful, well told story with a beautiful score by Kris Bowers and superb classical music throughout, including compositions by Bologne himself.

Directed by Stephen Williams and also starring Minnie Driver, Chevalier will be released in British cinemas soon.

Ailie Hunter
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