Original subtitles

Zahia.

Come, sit with daddy.

This music

is called Bolero.

It's beautiful, yes?

Hi girls.

- How are you? - Good, you?

- We take up so much space. - No problem.

Have a good first day.

- Be good. - Yes dad.

- Here they are! - Looking good!

Heading to Paris.

- You're abandoning us. - We're not.

- Don't forget us. - Never.

- Come on. - Group hug.

Good luck.

Give my Regards to Mrs Bourol.

Bye, ninja.

Bye.

You are the best!

The schedule's the same. Same hours.

Classes start from 8 to 12:30.

You can leave Racine at 1pm

and go to your conservatoires.

You don't have to eat at the cafeteria.

Thank God, the chef is not good.

No offence Principal.

Don't repent, Antoine, only the poor do.

When you're rich, you can be nasty.

What's the purpose of philosophy?

Who cares?

Let me remind you

if you fail this class, you fail the grade.

Has everyone read the books I recommended?

Has anyone read the four books on the list?

Well done, Victor.

Are you ready?

I missed it.

- Good afternoon, everyone. - Good afternoon.

For those who don't know me, I'm Mrs Mortureux.

And I'll be your music teacher again this year.

Before I assess you individually,

let me remind you that every year, our school gives a concert.

Lambert Lallemand will conduct the senior section.

Rehearsals will be in this room, on Thursdays, starting next week.

You're entering Besançon's contest Lambert?

Yes.

There're two rounds, right?

In April and then in June.

What's this contest madam?

It's for musicians who want to become professional conductors.

Thank you, Lambert.

Fettouma and Zahia Ziouani.

It's very rare to get into this school in senior year.

What's your background?

Fettouma?

Cello classes at the conservatoire in Pantin for ten years.

Chamber music classes in Stains.

Music lessons, analysis and music theory

last summer at the Schola Cantorum.

Tutti player in the conservatoire's orchestra

and the youth orchestra in Seine-Saint-Denis.

They have classical music in the suburbs?

Have you never been to a concert at the St Denis basilica?

- Nope. - It's a pity.

Zahia?

Viola course year and music lessons in Pantin.

- Gold medal in classical guitar... - Be quiet.

Continue.

Violist in the Schubert conservatoire in Paris.

And starting next week, their conductor.

Then, it would only be fair that you and Lambert

each conduct a piece for the school concert.

Let's get to work.

What the hell?

So, how's the rich student's' school?

It's so different than Berthelot.

Their parents or grandparents are all professional musicians.

This girl, Agathe, she's the daughter of the Opera's principal cello.

Fancy.

And she's nice.

I'm like a bag lady with my old cello.

Don't say that.

They have crazy expensive instruments.

And some of them don't even want to become pros.

That's called luxury.

You have the best, even when you don't need it.

- When do you go back to Schubert? - Schubert soon!

Raise your music stand. Good.

Put your fingers... Arch your fingers.

So I can slip my finger beneath them.

Put more speed in your bow.

D. E. F.

D. E...

Alright. More character!

Keep going.

Listen to each other. Try to play together.

It's a dance.

You're doing well, Benoit. Be more confident.

Playing with other violists will help.

Work on your energy, your strength...

- Hello, miss. - Hello.

- I'm Benoit's father. - OK.

I was told you were young, you're not.

You're very young.

Dad, let's go.

Have a good day, miss.

If Benoit could be on time next class...

I'm young, but strict about punctuality.

Thank you.

Hi.

I'm Zahia, I teach the viola.

- What's your name? - Dylan.

"You called on me

"and I left the Earth to flee with you toward the light."

What you were playing. After a dream.

Gabriel Fauré based it on this poem.

I didn't know.

You learned it with Mrs Choufou or Mr Scar?

It's my father.

- Mr Scar is your dad? - My dad taught me.

He taught you piano and clarinet? Awesome.

Two minutes, 20 seconds. I beat my record.

Well done, son.

Sorry, I'm late.

Today was tough.

How did it go?

- Nice. - It went well?

You like Racine?

Yes? Are you happy?

Yes.

Show me the schedule.

Do you have it?

Dad.

I won the relay.

Good job, my son. I'm very happy.

What do you mean you won? It's a team race.

We won thanks to me, right mum?

We completely beat the odds.

I came in strong and stole the show.

And we won regional gold.

See, you're not the only gold winner.

It's true, he did well.

- Mehdi, maths are important too. - Right.

Only the best can access the sports-study program.

- It's time for dad's reading. - Why me again?

I read de Gaulle's biography yesterday.

And?

You didn't read anything to dad.

- We're in senior year. - Let's go

Of course.

"We should've drawn a line under the outdated concepts

"and put an end to these irrational notions.

"Is it, he noted clumsily,

"because women contribute

"to humanity in their own way

"by ensuring its renewal and survival?

"And after this pro domo defence..."

Pro domo?

Right. Pro domo.

"And after this pro domo defence..."

The Girl from Arles Bizet

Hand it to me.

I'm not ready yet.

Come on.

Zahia?

So...

After the con tutti at number one

the horns repeat the note how many times?

Four times.

What key are the timbals tuned in?

In E and B.

Who picks up the second theme?

Flute and clarinet.

Oboe. Flute and oboe.

Relax, tomorrow's only the first rehearsal.

The suburb girl has dressed up to the nines.

It's not a fashion show, Ziouani.

You've got the tux but you forgot the baton.

That's shady.

You're familiar with Dvorak's piece?

We saw the movie.

Dvorak composed it when he was in America.

What's interesting is how he was inspired by...

...Native American music.

So, this symphony...

This isn't a music history class.

She's right. Thank you.

Let's do a run-through.

We'll stop when we need to...

I have a question.

Yes?

Why's your sister first cello? Agathe has her diploma

and Fattouma doesn't.

Her name's Fettouma.

She doesn't have her diploma yet, but she has experience with orchestras.

Right. Suburb orchestras are so famous.

Yes and not only.

Let's pick up from bar 23, please.

1st movement.

One. Two.

One. Two.

This means "stop".

It looked like a puppet show.

At number one

the brasses come in too strong and you're not in sync.

The French horns, too...

- It says fortissimo. - Fortissimo but not too strong.

You need to...

- The timbal... - You were the ones...

We barely blew!

It must remain nice.

Nice?

"It must remain nice".

The woodwinds...

It lacks confidence.

I think you can sing it more.

Sing?

Let's pick it up.

Only the strings, please.

Try to bring some mystery to it.

One. Two.

Bar 74, the B is natural.

And bar 76, it's a B flat.

- That's what we did. - No, you didn't.

Look at me.

The cello and the double bass, you... you're rushing it...

Do you need a translator to tell us how to play?

One. Two.

One. Two.

One. Two.

One. Two.

This isn't a brass band.

And are you going to comment on everything I say?

Let's pick it up from...

Ziouani, it's been an hour.

We need a break.

Let's take a break.

During rehearsals, call me chief, not Ziouani.

In your dreams, girls can't be maestros.

I'm done with this.

Maestro!

Beethoven's 7th Symphony, 1st movement.

Goal!

- Hello Zahia. - Hello Mrs Merlant.

You're very early.

I'd rather be early than late.

You're quite right.

I can't wait to show Mr Gripoix the works I've selected...

How was your summer?

Fine, and yours?

It was, fortunately.

It's been a crazy first two weeks.

People keep applying.

Bye Ophélie, see you next week.

Why are you doing this?

I've prepared the works we could play with the orchestra.

The Sorcerer's apprentice, Nocturnes, Suite algérienne...

- Did I do something wrong? - You did well.

But Lambert wants to conduct and he'll make a career of it.

- And I won't? - You're 17, Zahia.

You're in senior year.

Work on your viola and we'll see next year

if there's a B orchestra.

Lambert's a senior too,

we're in the same class and he's not even in this conservatoire.

But his father is.

And Lambert's taking conducting classes.

And...

you're a woman.

Do you know many female conductors?

Yes, a few but yes.

You know they're not good.

Maestros' assistants who imitate them.

I don't get it.

You're not ready to conduct.

My conservatoire's reputation is at stake.

Your time will come later.

When?

Later!

Be patient. You already have the school's orchestra.

It's fantastic.

It's an opportunity.

Mum, I spent the whole summer memorising every full score.

It's not fair.

No way I'm going back to Schubert.

It's not right, Fettouma.

And what Gripoix did to Zahia is?

- Who did he give your orchestra to? - Lallemand.

Lallemand is his name, he's not German.

- He's in our class. - Still, in the pool, they're weird.

Zahia, it's 8 pm.

Yes?

Hello, Mr Zahouni.

I come for the noise, it has to stop.

Do you know Dance of the Knights?

Prokofiev adapted Romeo and Juliet's story,

they meet and fall in love at a masquerade ball.

During this dance of the knights.

I'm going to register for a conductor's contest.

Besançon's contest.

We have to conduct that Dance for the first round.

Would it be ok if I practised with you?

You play the piano and I conduct you.

I don't get it. You have to conduct without an orchestra?

On the second round, only.

The first round's with two pianos.

Zahia?

You can register for the contest too, but know your place.

Does unanimity ensures truth?

Who cares?

Stop.

Thanks. The appoggiaturas are before the beat.

Not on the beat.

Let's start from...

Don't look at her.

I'm the conductor. I decide.

Don't interfere with my rehearsal!

Did I interfere with yours?

Stop.

I said before the beat. Not on the beat.

You've practised music for ten years in the suburbs,

but you don't know what a beat is?

Who are you?

I'm the conductor. I decide what I want to hear.

Do you know Toscanini? Great conductor, great cellist.

He said men need masterpieces to feed their mind.

No time for mediocrity. This is Racine school.

We have a deadline, we can't mess around.

OK? We won't waste time for you.

How long do you practice every day?

Outside the conservatoire, an hour and a half.

It's a long shot. A very long shot.

If I teach you, you'll need to practice for three hours a day, minimum.

Every day.

Are you up to it?

They're all missing. If we go now...

The teacher's coming.

What's going on here?

I'm really sorry, Zahia.

You enjoyed your rehearsal?

If you miss one more rehearsal, no more conducting.

- And it'll be on your record. - We had a test.

I'm not an idiot, Gabriel.

Madam?

- Can you tell us who's coming? - He's here.

A round of applause...

for maestro Sergiu Celibidache.

So...

what is music?

Celibidache's no Toscanini.

There is no real answer to that question.

There's no definition for it.

We can merely speculate.

Be wrong.

And do it loudly.

The louder an intellectual talks, the dumber he is,

like some German critics.

It would be wrong to reify,

the mistake is to reduce music to an object of the mind.

And yet, we all have music inside of us.

And music is alive.

You must convey its spontaneity.

Are there any questions before we start?

Yes?

Can you tell us about the conductor's gestures?

I mean, is there a point in doing it one way or another?

Your musicians can all read the score.

Do they really need to be conducted?

You know, there are ensembles without conductors.

I even think it could become a trend.

For a concert,

if the conductor has worked and rehearsed properly,

it's possible. But...

without a conductor

the orchestra's energy will dissipate.

Without a conductor, there's no transcendence.

Other questions?

Why won't you record your concerts, maestro?

Because listening recorded music is like

sleeping with Brigitte Bardot.

A photography of Brigitte Bardot.

I see you listened to me, now I want to know if you've heard me.

Yes. Come.

So. Schubert.

The opening of the 5th Symphony, 1st movement.

Go back to your seat.

Go back to your seat!

You must always greet your musicians!

Be worthy of your stature.

Always respect the musicians. Always!

Go back to your seat.

Go. Go!

Yes, miss?

How... How does one convey the...

the composer's intentions when you can't communicate with him?

Come up here.

Hello, miss.

Hello.

What's your instrument?

The viola, maestro.

But I want to conduct.

Conducting isn't a woman's job.

I've taught some women in my conducting classes.

They always gave up after two weeks. Why?

They lacked perseverance.

But since you're here,

I'd like to see if you've heard me.

Hello.

Go, Zahia.

Shush.

Thank you, stop!

Who taught you to conduct, miss?

No one, maestro.

- What? No one? - No one.

That's it.

That's exactly it.

Come afterwards, I'd like to talk to you.

Thank you.

I don't get it. Why are there so many heavy chords?

You said Romeo fell in love with Juliet during this dance.

What's the connection with the chords?

Because it's a moment of tension.

At the ball, even with his mask on,

Juliet's family recognised Romeo.

And no need to tell you

they don't like him. They challenge him to a duel.

And when the orchestra is playing,

the brass is very loud, they make strong sounds.

Like Romeo's heartbeat.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, mum.

You're welcome, dear.

- Pull, push... - Push to there...

- Careful... - Push immediately.

Pull, push, push.

Push, push.

- And then... - Push, push.

- Hello there. - Hello.

Karl.

Fettouma.

Nice to meet you.

I came with my sister, she's the maestro's student.

OK.

Hello.

Hello everyone.

First, let me introduce to you Zahia, a new student.

You may stand up.

She'll attend our conducting classes.

The falling arm.

Show me.

All of you, show me.

Do you see this movement?

It provides the music all its energy.

You're out of sync.

You're out of sync, do you know why?

Do you hear it?

Back to your seat.

Zahia?

Who was born first?

Zahia, two minutes before me.

- You're the eldest, then? - Yes.

It's a tremendous strength

you two together, like this.

You need your own orchestra.

- I almost had one. - No...

But he gave it to Lallemand.

No, I'm not talking about that.

That's...

Awful?

No, really, it wouldn't have been your orchestra.

It would have been just another orchestra.

You need your own.

One at your image.

You know?

You need your own orchestra.

...rail strike.

...350 km of traffic jams this morning

on the outskirts of the city.

The action's expected to intensify during the week.

A crisis meeting will take place...

Why do we get up so early?

There's no traffic.

We'll be three hours early again.

If we leave later, the beltway will be jammed.

You can never be late for school. Never.

Yes but dad, that's too early.

You're either early or you're late, that's it.

...following the strike...

It's hard to get here with the strikes, Mrs.

It's easy to blame the strikes when they live two blocks away.

I warned them.

I'll gladly put it on their records.

Sorry, Zahia, no rehearsal in those conditions.

Madam.

Do you think I could invite students from our conservatoire?

So we can still rehearse?

- Hello - Hi.

Hello.

Here are some musicians from Stains' conservatoire.

No music stands, that's a new one.

They were gone when we came in.

Obviously, someone really doesn't want us to rehearse.

We didn't struggle to come all the way here for nothing.

Has anyone got scotch tape?

Got what?

I thought it was a rich kids' school.

Gaëlle, this is Agathe.

Agathe, Gaëlle.

Do you want some?

I'll take some.

I would've never thought about that.

In the suburbs, we've got no dough, but we make do.

Who are these people?

They are students from Stains' conservatoire, sir.

Every year, I turn down students who apply to Racine.

We don't just let anybody in.

I'll see you in my office.

Conduct!

Not like that!

What is this?

What's your arm doing?

Idiocy.

Are you trying to imitate Toscanini?

Don't imitate anyone.

Stop overthinking your movements.

I don't understand what you want them to do.

Again.

You have the spontaneity

and the melody...

but music is time and rhythm.

Life is music.

And your music is not alive yet.

You must work a lot.

And you must live a lot.

Maybe I'll conduct when I'm old, is that it?

That's not what I said.

I know I'm young

and I still have a lot to learn.

But music is my life.

I only feel alive when I'm conducting.

- Do you understand me? - No.

I don't speak Arabic.

- You don't? - No.

Why not?

Because my parents talked to us in French.

A paediatrician told them

it's bad for children to learn two languages at once.

It confuses them.

It's a pity.

I didn't know you spoke Arabic.

I don't, I tried to.

You can't fall in love now.

When can I, then?

After senior year, after your diploma.

- After... - After, after, after.

You should listen more to the maestro.

Life is music, but music is also life.

You're the one who'll carry it.

Isn't it too heavy, Mehdi?

I'm good, Mum.

Look at that.

Isn't it cute?

Put it on like this.

You wrap it and wrap it, and it tickles.

That's you decorated.

Look, we decorated Fofo.

Great, we'll put you on top of the tree now.

You'll be the star.

You can take it off.

- You chose this? - Yes.

Let's go.

She's fascinated by your cello.

So I see.

She did the same with my violin the other day.

I wanted her to attend music lessons.

She can't read the notes.

Numbers are OK, symbols too.

But reading is difficult for her.

I asked everywhere, but no one accepted her.

That's a popular tradition.

Before, in the coal mines and the factories,

at the end of the day, the men from the mines, the workers,

they'd meet up with their brass band to play music.

They'd bring drums and trumpets.

And this is why at the origin of orchestras only men were at drums and brass.

They came from the brass bands.

But how do you know all that, Abdelmadjid?

I'm curious.

That's it. I'm very curious.

I always love your stories.

Me too.

Thank you, Cédric.

A symphonic orchestra?

Any idea of the money you need for such a project?

What money?

We have a place, we have a brand new auditorium.

Almost all of us have our own instrument.

We have to buy the scores, yes.

But what else do we need, except more musicians to be credible?

I forget you're only 17. It's a bit more complicated than that.

Right now, there's 12 of us.

If I ask the best musicians in every class

and the teachers as well,

would you mind?

I won't, but the teachers...

It'll be an obvious choice for some, but not for everyone.

This is a communist city, but there are some conservatives left.

Will you ask the mayor's son?

I want this orchestra to be unique.

What do you mean by that?

Don't rush it at the end, Benoit. It makes it sound less grand.

And you, Clara,

you give good nuances but don't lose the warmth of the viola.

Play the ending tremolo again.

Yes, good chime.

Clara, Benoit, how would you feel about playing in an orchestra?

Thank you.

Excuse me, can I have your attention for one more minute?

Fettouma and I, with musicians from other conservatoires,

we're creating an orchestra.

We want to register it to the Eurochestries festival.

Do you know it?

You never give up, do you?

Let me guess, you're the conductor?

Anyone interested?

Will you pay us?

When is it?

Early July, after the results of our exams.

I'm in, if you want me.

Me too.

Me too.

Where would we rehearse? Here?

No, rehearsals will take place

- ...in Stains. - Where?

Where's that?

Kick it back, maestra.

Come on...

Zahia,

I'll join your orchestra and even go to Staines

on one condition.

Join our robbery at Arioso.

Join what?

It's a school tradition.

The one who steals the most scores wins.

Do you have anything from Solstice music label?

My grandparents...

...and I thought maybe you would have...

Do you know of...

...trumpets, the organ...

If you happen to have a score like this.

Could be from the 70ies, 80ies...

If anything springs to mind.

And for your display unit,

I could talk to my grandparents.

It could be nice.

I have a catalogue.

That'd be wonderful.

Here.

- 14. Who can top that? - Nine.

- 14! - The Ziouanis?

Really?

Is that it?

- That's it. - Better than nothing.

Concentrate on your leg support.

Show them where you want to go.

Zahia, connect with them.

Take them with you.

Come on.

Bravo.

When I arrived in France, as soon as I had a little money, I'd buy a record.

I'd listen to all the music stations on my radio,

I'd often walk by Salle Pleyel and I'd look at the program.

One day, I saw Rostropovitch, Menuhin, Richter were performing together.

I admired them so much. I listened to them so many times.

And I had never been to a concert before.

So I worked up the courage and pushed the door open.

I bought a ticket. It was the greatest day of my life.

- I'm impressed, Abdel. - No...

No, I am.

Me, I learned eight languages by myself.

- Eight? - Yes.

The one I could never master was Arabic.

That's because Arabic is not like German or Romanian.

The alphabet is difficult.

No, the grammar was difficult

and the pronunciation.

The grammar,

we could work on, but the pronunciation is...

Some sounds...

If you don't hear them as a child, like...

Comes from here.

- From the throat. - Yes.

You have a musical ear.

Almost.

With practice. Or the...

May I?

Almost. It's not like when you throw up.

No, not the market place.

The supermarket! The store!

Yes.

Get off at Stains, get on the bus,

the conservatoire's on the fifth stop.

Nobody's going to steal your flute!

Fettouma will come and get you. See you later.

They've never been outside of Paris?

Careful with the double bass.

There's no room. We're all squished back there.

Don't embarrass me.

Who did their military service? I hear that's over.

It's not mandatory anymore.

- You did it already? - Yeah.

How do you know?

Chirac said it, two days ago.

Thank you, Chirac!

Hello everyone.

- Welcome. - Hello, sir.

I'll let Zahia do her rehearsal, but first, I wanted to say

we're thrilled to welcome our first orchestra.

Does it have a name, yet?

Divertimento.

Welcome to Stains, Divertimento.

Thank you, Mr Masson.

Hello everyone.

First, thumbs up to the Parisians for daring to come all the way over here.

And you're going to have to do it every Saturday.

Some among us

have never played in an orchestra.

I'm counting on you to make them feel at ease.

We have five months to learn how to play together.

To get to know each other.

And to learn Polish.

Gaspard and Romain, you're second violins.

And you're first violin.

Clara, go sit next to Marie.

Oh, you're first oboe...

- Here? - Karl...

Yes, sit here. Is it OK?

Yes.

Right, It's your orchestra.

Go sit next to Caroline.

Can you explain to him?

You're first clarinet. You can sit here.

I'll sit here.

Are you nervous?

- A little. - You'll be fine.

I'm used to formations

with like, eight people.

But last time...

Where do you rent it?

It's not a rental. It's my birthday gift.

60.000 francs.

Pierre, can you give me an A?

Go ahead.

- You're sure? - It's my welcome gift.

OK.

Why did I choose the Bacchanale?

Camille Saint Saëns, a great French composer

was inspired by a lot by other cultures.

I think it's symbolic

of what I want us to create and achieve with Divertimento.

One. Two.

Malik, articulate the eight notes.

Jeremy, mind the pitch, it's too low.

More crescendo.

Better!

Don't rush it.

Give it more character.

Good.

Keep going.

Run, Zahia, run!

Come on, girls. Put everything down, hurry.

What's going on?

Come, come. No questions.

Here's a little gift from your mum and dad.

- Ready? - Yeah.

One, two, three.

- Are you crazy? - Thank you!

I get to play after 9 pm!

Thank you, dad! Come here.

Come with us, try the acoustic!

Scream!

We're talking 20 000 francs with the bus and housing.

- Be grateful for the auditorium. - Can't the mayor help?

If you get noticed in Poland he'll give you a city medal.

But this is about money, a cultural event we didn't plan on.

I can't believe it.

I fought for it, I swear.

I did everything I could to help. But this...

It's not in my hands. Ask the parents to cash in.

You know most of them won't be able to.

The Parisians, then.

There's only seven of them.

I told you, it's a bit more complicated.

Art has many definitions.

Thus, so does the artist.

Plato states that art

is the imitation of an imitation.

You'll write an essay on the following:

Is being gifted enough to be an artist?

Who cares?

Do you think it's funny?

How about you leave the classroom?

Didn't you hear? Out.

Did you or didn't you laugh?

I did, but...

Why did she tell mum you'll fail your year?

She never liked us.

I don't know why she said that after their good grades

the first trimester.

Listen to your teachers. Respect them.

Always.

What's going on with you?

That lack of respect. What's going on?

You have too much on your plate.

School, your contest, the conservatoire, Celibidache,

and now this orchestra.

Mum's right. Too many things. You'll have to choose.

Don't you always say we must never give up?

Zahia.

We're not done talking.

Zahia.

I'm sorry, I'm having trouble focusing, today.

No problem.

My father and I had a fight.

I don't like it, at all.

I'm like you.

Close to my father.

And I was rude to him yesterday.

I hate my father.

I hate him.

I thought you two were close.

Close with the music.

Why do you hate him?

What did he do to you?

I don't know what he did.

My mother won't tell us.

He's in jail for what he did.

Are you allowed to see him?

Yeah.

But I don't want to talk to him.

He didn't think of me when he messed up.

My father wanted me...

- ...to get into politics. - Really?

Can you imagine?

Did you change his mind?

No, I left. I never saw him again.

It was another time.

You never saw him again?

No.

It was music or nothing.

See you next Sunday.

She's so hot.

Turn the page.

What's the difference between a stag and an orchestra?

I don't know.

Woods on the front, ass behind, the orchestra is the opposite.

Enough, Antoine.

He really met his match.

When do we start over?

In five minutes.

Ariane, I love your dress.

- Thank you. - It's so pretty.

Target. 20 francs.

- Really? - Yeah.

I love it. Are you in senior year too?

Can I take one?

- Help yourself. - Thank you.

Do you want one?

When's Laetitia and Johnny's wedding?

I don't like Johnny.

Marie? Benoit?

- Do you want some? - No, thanks.

I'm not doing it right, it's energy-less.

I don't know how to bring it out from them.

You have to convey it to them.

And anticipate the changes in the tempo.

Just a bit earlier.

You're the only one who can lead them.

The only one.

Come, sit.

I wish I could lead them.

But most of the time, I feel lonely.

I'm with them, but I feel alone.

As long as you feel alone it means you did not become one with them.

And you'll see, the day you do,

a miracle can happen.

Saint Saëns was inspired by the karkabous,

Not the castanets, when he wrote it.

Since the composer's always right, we'll play as he wished.

Let's start from letter F.

They're lucky to have a music school.

But it's not enough.

Learning the technique is not enough.

They need to play music together.

It changes everything.

When you play together, like in a football team,

it gives you the energy to outdo yourself.

Symphonic music is elitist.

But not like you think it is.

It's elitist for everyone.

It requires the best from everyone

whether you're from the suburbs or the city.

Mr Mayor, this orchestra,

this festival, it is an investment for your city and its youth.

Is this your idea of music?

It is.

I think the people living in Stains

deserve to listen to great music in good conditions.

You want to change the world.

I'm not saying music can change the world.

But

playing music, music itself,

it can change people, yes.

Again?

These are stickers.

With different colours.

And for each string, We'll put a different colour.

For the highest string,

what colour would you like?

Pink?

This is the A string.

And this is the D string. What colour do you want?

We can... yeah, great.

Green for D.

We have A, D, G and C.

Would you like to touch the strings?

- Yes. - Go ahead.

Again.

Very good, well done!

See? I put the same colours here.

The colours on the notes match the strings.

They're the same colours.

Is everyone ready? Isabelle?

All good?

Let's do this, then.

One. Two.

Now.

Now.

Good.

Now.

Now.

Yes.

Ready?

Wonderful.

Loved it!

What are we doing here?

Follow me please.

You have ten minutes to settle in.

After a dream

Hello.

What's more off pitch than a flute?

Two flutes.

Sorry Tilai, and welcome.

I'll teach you a new word

Simply meaning "how are you".

Again.

Good.

Fettouma Ziouani.

We award you your gold medal.

- No! - Mr Burgos?

No doubt, she made a lot of progress.

But she can do much better.

If she's to become a professional,

she must be the best.

I ask you not to reward her yet, so she can achieve excellence.

She's perfectly capable of it.

Zahia Ziouani.

Hello.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Lambert Lallemand.

It's only the first round.

Some have failed the first round.

But for Lambert, it was a cakewalk. He's amazing, amazing!

Amazing!

Ready? 3rd movement, please.

He did it for your own good you know?

Mr Burgos didn't do it to destroy you.

And you, if you want to be a conductor,

don't give up.

You have to earn your place.

Don't let fate decide for you.

Are you at the pool?

Are you swimming? There's no water here.

Go on!

Don't you hear? None of them is making music.

What's your reaction?

Go on!

You're doing it wrong.

Where's the change of tempo?

And you want to be a conductor?

What are you conveying? Nothing.

It sounds formal and I don't feel anything.

You're young, but you're conducting like you're 100 years old.

Alright.

So what's the problem?

Is it because you failed that gym contest?

Conducting two pianos is a gym contest.

Why do you talk to me like this?

Do you think humiliating me is going to help?

Is it because I'm a girl?

Is that it?

You were wrong to believe in me?

You're not the only one.

Well...

That's it for today. See you next week.

No maestro, you'll be in Munich.

Munich... I'll see you when I'll see you, then.

Time

starts

after the beginning.

For Bruckner and for me,

time starts after the end.

Hope for another world.

Hope to be saved.

But that doesn't exist.

You know, technique...

you take comfort in it.

But it's not what conducting is about.

Do you hear me?

Conducting isn't technique.

Toscanini said: "I do everything written in the score."

And Mahler would respond:

"There's everything in the score,

"except for the essential."

Toscanini was a great conductor.

A great one.

Very precise.

But...

he had nothing to convey.

How long have you been here?

I told you my son was a luthier.

Look.

He made it for you.

Shall we try it?

Zahia?

You're not ready?

Ask Lambert.

Gripoix was right about him.

Enough now, get up.

Who am I to pretend all that?

To embark everyone in that adventure?

To pretend conducting this orchestra?

All I do is fight.

Against the others. Against myself.

Against my fears.

I'm not ready.

Maybe I'll never be.

As long as you feel alone it means you did not become one with them.

And you'll see, the day you do,

a miracle can happen.

To the musicians of my life, Joséphine Chaufour et Michel Mention

Zahia Ziouani won Best Emerging Talent at the Eurochestries Festival in Poland in August 1996.

At 23, Zahia conducted her first major concert with Divertimento, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.

Divertimento has given more than 1000 concerts worldwide.

The city of Stains has been a major contributor in its development.

Deeply tied to the cultural life of Seine-Saint-Denis, Divertimento is today active in eight regions. It exposes more than 20,000 young people to music every year.

In 2008, Zahia and Fettouma founded the Divertimento Academy, with more than 500 pupils.

Fettouma became a concert cellist.

Still today, only 6% of conductors in the world are women.

And 4% in France...