Discover the Magic Behind Music Creation: Dive Into “We the Orchestra”

What’s It About?

How can musicians play together without losing their individuality? How do they coexist for so long without falling apart? What role does a conductor really play? For the first time, cameras and microphones weave through the 120 musicians of the Orchestre de Paris at the Philharmonie, led by their young prodigy conductor, Klaus Mäkelä.

This film provides an immersive experience at the heart of music as it is being created; it captures the musicians’ experiences, emotions, and the sheer beauty of their art.

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be an orchestral musician? What are the sensations? Do they get nervous? How do they follow the conductor’s lead? “We, the Orchestra” offers viewers a real immersive dive, placing the camera right in the midst of the musicians, nearly in their ears. Be prepared for a sensory overload!

Deeply Immersive Sequences and Even Reading the Artists’ Thoughts

“We, the Orchestra” is not defined as a documentary, but rather as an unclassifiable film, blending concert footage with deeply immersive sequences and even giving the sensation of reading the artists’ thoughts. Director Philippe Béziat introduces original narrative techniques that at times echo the style of silent film.

A unique system of placards is used to convey thoughts. This innovative approach also adds a touch of humor, especially when discussing life in a group.

During the official premiere at the Philharmonie, producer Philippe Martin (Les Films Pelléas) spoke about the importance of making such works available in cinemas.

In front of the audience, he explained, “People often ask me what a producer does. My answer is that a producer is an obsessive spectator. That is, a spectator who so desperately wants to see that they end up wanting to see things that don’t yet exist, and they become a producer to make those films a reality. I believe this film embodies that idea more than many others.“

“The Desire to See Things That Do Not Yet Exist”

I spend a lot of time in concert halls, and I’ve always been fascinated by orchestras, watching a conductor at work. At one point [with director Philippe Béziat], we thought that the right idea was to try to make a film that doesn’t just observe, but gets as close as possible to that mysterious thing. What happens between these 120 people and this conductor, and why does it fascinate us so much?“

He concluded, “Making a film like this for the cinema truly allows for a culturally democratizing experience like no other.“

“We, the Orchestra” is now showing in cinemas all across France this Wednesday, April 22.

AlloCiné, available daily with more than 40 articles covering the latest in movies and series, interviews, streaming recommendations, quirky facts and fan insights about your favorite films and series. Subscribe to AlloCiné on Google Discover, and explore daily the riches of a site built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.