Music is a quietly contemplative from acclaimed writer-director Angela Schanelec, known for her evocative and visually striking films. Set against the backdrop of the mountainous region of Greece, the film opens on a stormy night when a pair of wayward young people abandon their newborn child. The baby, Jon, is taken in by a family of farmers and grows up unaware of his biological parents.
Years later, Jon's life takes a dramatic turn following a tragic accident that leads to his imprisonment. In prison, he meets Iro, and the two form a profound connection through music, a bond that will both haunt and sustain them throughout their lives. Freely inspired by the story of Oedipus, Music intertwines myth and gentle folk storytelling to explore themes of identity, destiny, and human connection.
Born in 1962, Angela Schanelec first gained recognition as a theater actress before transitioning to filmmaking. Her previous works, including My Sister’s Good Fortune (1995), Orly (2010), and I Was at Home, But… (2019), have premiered at prestigious festivals like Berlinale, Cannes, and Locarno, earning numerous accolades. Music, her ninth feature film, won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the 2023 Berlinale and garnered awards for Best Direction and Best Cinematography at the Valladolid International Film Festival.
Perhaps to some, the lack of explicit narrative and almost non-existent dialogue will be a large draw, but to most movie viewers, Music will be a terrible disappointment. It feels more like walking through a museum than engaging in a cinematic experience. Schanelec definitely has an eye for beautiful shots, and it’s a shame this skill doesn’t transfer to storytelling in Music.
There was a sort of reverse voyeurism going on: Instead of watching intimate moments or critical events, we often listen to them unfold vaguely from just out of shot or from a different room. The tie-in to Oedipus as well is tentative at best: Music simply lacks the tragedy and drama of the ancient play. While lauded by festivals, Music fails to deliver in areas critical to enjoyment by many library patrons. Not Recommended.