Abstract (eng)
This thesis discusses the 2004 French film Les Choristes by Christophe Barratier, which was based on the 1945 film directed by Jean Dréville, La Cage aux Rossignols. The Ker Goat Education centre, a correctional facility for minors was established in Dinan, Brittany during the Second World War, where choral singing became the core activity of the centre. Both films were inspired by this event. Les Choristes demonstrates the positive effect of singing on the characters.
In the thesis, the non-diegetic and diegetic music of Les Choristes is analysed and the utilisation of various musical elements and their affect on a film audience is discussed. Not only the music, but also the cultural and historical context of Les Choristes is investigated in this thesis, as is the way in which this contributes to this film being authentically depicted. The music of Les Choristes, often subconsciously, communicates with the audience, enhancing the visual aspects of the film and highlighting the emotions of certain characters. The dynamic and active relationship between the auditory and visual components in the film are considered and how the repetitive melodies throughout Les Choristes conjures up feelings of nostalgia for the audience, is discussed in detail.