Bozeman Magazine

On Thursday, October 19th, at 7pm at the Emerson Center, the Bozeman Doc Series returns for its ninth season with the Montana premiere of the critically acclaimed new documentary, Pianoforte. 21 days, 80 participants, 10 finalists. Warsaw’s International Chopin Piano competition, held every five years, has launched the careers of many piano virtuosos. Pianoforte follows seven hopefuls as they progress – or maybe not – through four gruelling competition stages. The stakes are high and the pressure is intense – at times too intense for some. From rehearsals to performance, backstage and at home, the camera captures what it takes to make it in this highly competitive world. It’s a case of Spellbound meets Tár in filmmaker Jakub Piątek’s enthralling documentary. Pianoforte world-premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival to widespread critical acclaim. “It is, at times, a gauntlet of will and endurance. At other times it is a gentle rumination on coming-of-age, but it is always incisive and always a journey, one that lingers long after the credits disappear.” Film Threat “Tense and touching.” The Los Angeles Times “Resonant…Pianoforte has a distinct bittersweetness that makes it more introspective, if not quietly haunting…It becomes apparent, watching these virtuosos who labor for hours a day over 12 notes, how the contest quandary haunts them—to have wisdom about concertos and etudes that have lived many more lives than they have…[a] sincere depiction of bright youth struggling against standards set for them nearly 100 years ago.” Rogerebert.com Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are available at the door or before the show online at www.bozemandocseries.org, where you can also buy Season Passes and 7-film punch cards, learn more about the series, and view trailers for upcoming films. The series will continue every other Thursday through April, 2024.