The rights for distribution in the US were purchased by Greenwich Entertainment, a well-established company whose impressive catalogue includes – among others – documentaries about Sinead O’Connor (Nothing Compares), Billie Holiday (Billie), or about the legendary British designer Westwood, as well as several fiction films.
Pianoforte had its world premiere at the Sundance Festival. Jakub Piątek’s film was invited to the international documentary competition. From that point on, it has enjoyed unwavering recognition worldwide, all while winning numerous awards and audience acclaim.
During the elimination rounds, there are 160 participants, then about 80, and then 40. Only 12 make it to the finals. The film’s protagonists are young people (aged 16 to 30) from different parts of the world, whose lives have been dedicated to playing the piano since childhood. Like Olympic sportsmen, they compete in the most prestigious piano competition that could change their lives forever.
Jakub Piątek’s film focuses on several protagonists. We observe them at their homes, during preparations, and in their private lives. The narrative follows the rules of the competition, which is divided into three stages and the finale..
The Chopin Competition is the oldest of its kind in the world, taking place every five years in Warsaw. It has seen a record number of famous participants, from the outstanding composer Dmitri Shostakovich, to Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich, Rafał Blechacz, Seong-Jin Cho, Dang Thai Son, and Krystian Zimerman. The competition brings great excitement, both on stage and in the auditorium. It’s a huge, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Chopin Competition exemplifies a crucial moment in our protagonists’ lives. Although the depicted world seems elitist and inaccessible, each of them has been preparing for this moment their entire lives. They all share a similar dream and will be mercilessly assessed by the competition mechanism – the number of places on the podium is drastically limited. Some will be eliminated, while others will make it to the finals.
The film has been produced by Maciej Kubicki (TELEMARK Sp. z o.o.) and co-produced by HBO Max, Fryderyk Chopin Institute, Mazovia Warsaw Film Commission, MX35, Arte, ZDF, and Ventana Film.
You can find out more about the distributor at its official website.