Premiere - The Marching Band : Club Allociné Celebrates Music and Cinema at Forum des Images

By Mulder, Paris, Forum des Images, 06 november 0002 to 06 november 2024

On November 7, Club Allociné brought together its members for a special screening of The Marching Band, directed by Emmanuel Courcol. In the hushed atmosphere of the Forum des Images in Paris, spectators were invited to immerse themselves in a unique and moving story, celebrating the unifying power of music. The evening, punctuated by passionate exchanges and an unexpected performance, provided an opportunity to preview the film and meet some of its creative team, including director Emmanuel Courcol, screenwriter Irène Muscari, and lead actors Benjamin Lavernhe and Pierre Lottin. The event took a particularly festive turn when a brass band burst in, and Lavernhe showed real talent as a conductor, surprising and charming the audience.

The Marching Band explores the intertwined paths of two brothers who have nothing in common: Thibaut, a conductor of international renown, and Jimmy, a school canteen worker in northern France who plays trombone in a local brass band. Thibaut, who has belatedly learned of his adoption, discovers Jimmy's existence and decides to meet him. Everything seems to be at odds between these two men, whether it's their backgrounds, their aspirations or their vision of music. Yet a shared passion for the art brings them together, initiating a personal transformation in each of them. Detecting a raw talent in Jimmy, Thibaut makes it his mission to help him realize his potential, even if it means upsetting his own equilibrium and that of his brother.

The meeting between the audience and the film crew revealed the inner workings of this social and human work, which tackles profound themes such as family ties, culture shock and the impact of music as a bridge between worlds. During the discussion, Emmanuel Courcol explained how the idea for the film came to him some ten years ago, when he consulted on a script inspired by a group of majorettes and their brass band. This first immersion in the world of brass bands in northern France left a deep impression on him, giving him the desire to make it the heart of a story. And so the story of Thibaut and Jimmy was born, with the idea of two brothers finding each other through music, despite radically different life paths.

Benjamin Lavernhe and Pierre Lottin, the two lead actors, shared the challenges of their respective roles with the audience. Lavernhe, trained as an actor at the Comédie-Française, was introduced to the art of conducting, guided by a professional conductor to ensure that his gestures were credible and precise. As for Pierre Lottin, a self-taught actor with a passion for music, he devoted himself to learning the trombone, working for several months to embody his character accurately. Both spoke of the moments of improvisation that enriched their performances, as well as the natural chemistry that developed between them during the shoot, contributing to the authenticity of the brotherly relationship at the heart of the film.

Music is more than just background music, it's a real character in The Marching Band. Emmanuel Courcol pointed out that this work explores different facets of musical expression, from the rigorous orchestral music that Thibaut conducts, to the jazz and popular songs that resonate in Jimmy's brass band. Composer Michel Petrossian worked closely with Courcol to create an eclectic soundtrack, bringing together classical works and more contemporary pieces, reflecting the diversity of the characters and the worlds they represent. Here, music acts as a vehicle for communication and rapprochement between two men who might otherwise have been unaware of their brotherhood.

The film skilfully plays on the cultural and social contrasts between the elitist world of classical music and the warm, popular world of brass bands. The backdrop of northern France, with its cobbled streets and brick buildings, provides an authentic, poetic setting for this story of friendship and reconciliation. Emmanuel Courcol chose to shoot mainly in Lallaing, a small town near Douai, where he was able to collaborate with a real local brass band, reinforcing the film's realistic, community aspect. This choice of regional roots adds a touch of British-style social comedy, while remaining deeply rooted in French heritage and spirit.

The success of this special Club Allociné screening was also due to the surprise that delighted the audience: a brass band invaded the room to play a few festive tunes, and Benjamin Lavernhe, with disconcerting naturalness, threw himself into leading this troupe of amateur musicians. This moment, both spontaneous and symbolic, reinforced the film's message about the unifying power of music, capable of bringing together people from all walks of life to share a moment of collective joy.

The Marching Band is not simply a film about music, but a reflection on family, destiny and redemption. Emmanuel Courcol delivers a work in which laughter and emotion blend in a subtle balance, avoiding the trap of sentimentality to focus on the sincerity of the characters. Audiences at the Forum des Images left the auditorium touched, with the idea that music is much more than an art form: it is a universal language, a means of discovering oneself and connecting with others, despite life's obstacles.

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Synopsis:
Thibaut is an internationally renowned conductor who travels the world. When he learns that he has been adopted, he discovers that he has a brother, Jimmy, who works in a school canteen and plays trombone in a brass band in northern France. On the surface, everything separates them, except their love of music. Sensing his brother's exceptional musical abilities, Thibaut sets out on a mission to remedy the injustice of fate. Jimmy then begins to dream of another life...

The Marching Band
Directed by Emmanuel Courcol
Produced by Marc Boudre
Written by Emmanuel Courcol, Irène Muscari
Starring Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Lottin, Sarah Suco
Music by Michel Petrossian
Cinematography : Maxence Lemonnier
Edited by Guerric Catala
Production companies : Agat Film
Distributed by Diaphana Distribution (France)
Release date : 19 May 2024 (Cannes), November 27 2024 (France)
Running time : 103 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville