Canadian Premiere
A thrilling glimpse into what it takes to compete in the prestigious and renowned International Chopin Competition, which has been held in Warsaw every five years since 1927. The stakes are high: not only because of the substantial prize money, but due to the overnight launch to fame these young pianists are promised. PIANOFORTE follows a handful of incredibly talented young musicians through rigorous practice sessions, anxiety-filled moments on and off stage, and the despair and joy of the coveted final performance. Director Jakub Piątek’s keen observational eye captures the nerves, the raw emotion, and the camaraderie and friendships that develop over the 21 days of the contest. Of course, the documentary is filled with extraordinary interpretations of the beloved composer Frédéric Chopin’s masterworks. Engaging and entertaining, PIANOFORTE provides rare insight to the sacrifice, ambition and external support required to follow this exalted musical dream.
September 30: Q&A with director Jakub Piątek
Series Media Partner
Community Partner
Poland
2023
Portraits
In Chinese, English, Italian, Polish, Russian with English subtitles
Coarse Language
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Producer
Maciej Kubicki
Screenwriter
Jakub Piatek
Cinematography
Filip Drożdż
Editor
Ula Klimek-Piątek
Original Music
Teoniki Rożynek
Director
Photo by Michal Hara
Jakub Piątek
Jakub Piatek was born in 1985 in Poland. Piatek studied at the Polish National Film School in Łódź. Before studying directing, he worked as a journalist. His full-length feature debut Prime Time (2021) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. PIANOFORTE (2023) also premiered at Sundance, receiving its international premiere in the World Cinema Documentary Competition. Piatek currently teaches film at the Polish National Film School.
Filmography: Prime Time (2021);
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
The Art of Adventure
The unbelievable adventure story of how painter Robert Bateman and ecologist Bristol Foster drove a Land Rover from Africa to Australia in 1957, developing a love of nature to last a lifetime. An inspirational love letter to the adventure of life itself.
I Am the Blues + Robert Connely Farr Live
This VIFF Live event brings together Robert Connely Farr, performing an hour-long set of authentic Mississippi blues, followed by Daniel Cross's documentary I Am the Blues (106 min.) about the old time Delta Blues.
Follies
After two kids and 16 years of marriage, François and Julie decide to open up their relationship in a bid to rekindle their dwindling sex life. A painfully hilarious and brutally honest depiction of love, sex, and intimacy in the age of the internet.
Agatha's Almanac
Shot over six years on vibrant 16mm film, Agatha’s Almanac is an artful documentary portrait of filmmaker Amalie Atkin’s octogenarian aunt, who has fashioned herself an endearingly simple and self-sustaining lifestyle on her Manitoba farm.
