A hidden figure of France’s past brought back into the spotlight
Last week we attended the Annapolis Film Festival. The festival hosted films of all kinds, from feature films to documentaries to shorts and everything in between. The festival started from March 23rd and lasted until March 26th. And to kick off the Annapolis Film Festival, the festival hosted Searchlight Picture’s upcoming film, Chevalier. The film is a biographical drama that takes hones in on the historical figure of Chevalier. For those unfamiliar with Chevalier, he was an illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner who had talent that exceeded everyone else. Chevalier was most known for his incredible skill as a violinist and composer and by using those skills he soon gained the favor of Marie Antoinette. The story follows the rise of Chevalier prior to the infamous French Revolution. The story lays out the early years of Chevalier and how he became intertwined with Queen Marie Antoinette. The story then jumps to a few years later, showing his growing ambition paired with his heightened status within France. He seeks out to become the head of the Paris Orchestra and Opera and in order to achieve such a prestigious title, he must create his own Opera. The film then centers itself around the trials and tribulations Chevalier faced while creating, casting, and launching this opera that will launch him to greater heights.
Our impressions of the film was that this was a solid film that painted this hidden figure of France’s past in a new and exciting life. For those that know, Chevalier is technically the first Black pre-eminent virtuoso violinists in history. And the reason that his story and music has not been known in the mainstream is because his work and life was erased by Napoleon once France re-instituted slavery. The film does a masterful job of highlighting Chevalier’s talent as a composer and violinist while bringing to light the intricacies of being Black in France during that time. One huge theme throughout the film was the prevalent anti-Blackness harbored by not only the people of France, but also by Chevalier. Having been launched to the topmost social status in France at such an early age, Chevalier only knew the life and style of French aristocracy and the White elite of the time. The film highlights his internal battle when his mother is released from slavery and comes to live with Chevalier. The dynamics of this relationship is muddy and painful for both parties and highlights how Chevalier’s psyche has been tampered with throughout the years.
Aside from the plot, the acting is noteworthy as well. Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays Chevalier and does a wonderful job of capturing the emotions of Chevalier. Harrison understood the assignment of playing this character. At first Chevalier seems very one dimensional, driven solely by ambition and gaining what he thinks is the next step for his career. But as time moves forward, Harrison brings to life a character with depth, complexity, and humanity. What was initially a standoffish character that was seemingly unrelatable becomes a person that people could relate to and empathize with.
The film was a huge success and is sure to be a film talked about once released. And there was no better film that could have kicked off Annapolis Film Festival off. Once the film was finished, a reception was thrown where guests of the festival could eat delicious French inspired food and pair it with wine and cocktails.
