Schumann goes to Montreal

"That means the film will run in the official program of a truly A-level festival according to the definition of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations," said project manager Rolf Rische of the film's selection for Montreal.

The festival's expert committee chose the 98-minute concert film directed by Christian Berger for its Documentaries of the World category. "Schumann at Pier2" follows Estonian-American conductor Paavo Järvi and the musicians of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen as they offer a modern take on all four of Robert Schumann's symphonies in Bremen. The concerts are staged at a converted shipyard building, drawing a young and energetic audience.

It represents a special honor to be selected from a pool of thousands for presentation at the Montreal World Film Festival, which celebrates cultural diversity and fostering dialogue between nations.

Audiences at the event will take in the documentary that goes behind the scenes at the orchestra's rehearsals, focusing on significant excerpts from the symphonies. It adds up to a fascinating, accessible and entertaining audiovisual journey through Robert Schumann's symphonic world.

Viewers in Europe will also have the chance to watch the film on the European cultural television channel Arte in November, following the official debut of the film at Berlin's film theatre Kino International. In addition, Label C Major Entertainment will sell a DVD box set featuring the documentary and recordings from the concerts.

"Schumann at Pier2" is now the second DW production to make the cut for the Montreal World Film Festival. In 2010, "The Beethoven Project," also directed by Christian Berger, became the first DW production selected to run at the event. The film, which traces the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen's journey around the world as it performs all nine of Beethoven's symphonies, has won 14 international awards.