Twenty years ago, Quebec filmmaker Raymond St-Jean, whose most recent film, Twilight for a killeris a great success, devoted to the same character a medium-length documentary entitled The Black Mozart. He described the career of this contemporary composer of Wolfgang Amadeus, whose work was practically erased from collective memory.
It’s the turn of the Americans to seize the little-known – and astonishing – story of Joseph Bologne de Saint-Georges, also known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. This time, the approach is obviously different. Bringing to the screen a screenplay by Stefani Robinson (who is part of the writing team of the series Atlanta), Stephen Williams, a director who has mainly made his mark in the world of television series (watch men in particular), offers a Hollywood-style biographical film, punctuated by dramas and twists.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES
Kelvin Harrison Jr. is the headliner of Knighta film directed by Stephen Williams.
Although the story is inspired by the life of a real historical character, we will understand from the outset the intention of the creators of this feature film who, from a few facts, have taken largesse for the benefit of entertainment. The story begins with none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who, in a Parisian theater, accepts special requests from the public, much like Gregory Charles would do in his shows a few centuries later. Then comes the Chevalier de Saint-Georges who, from the back of the room, comes forward with his violin to challenge the composer of The Magic Flute in a battle with the instrument which he wins hands down.
This angle is interesting, insofar as Mozart is placed here in the same position as Salieri in Amadeus, the famous film by Miloš Forman. That said, this aspect of the story serves above all to explain how, in an 18th century societye century when a black man could hardly assert himself, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges rose to the top of Parisian society thanks to his exceptional talents as a musician and fencer, only to then come down again brutally.
It’s always a little strange to see Americans translate a French story according to their narrative codes, but once our adaptation is done as a spectator, Knight reserve good times. The journey of this little-known character, magnificently inhabited by Kelvin Harrison Jr., also reminds us how much difference always struggles to be part of great history.
Indoors
Biographical drama
Knight
stephen williams
With Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton
1:47 a.m.