Educational Media Reviews Online

The Underground Orchestra has been winning international attention, praise, and prizes (1998 Dutch Film Critic Prize, 1998 Festival Dei Popoli). The film is a documentary of the lives of the street and subway musicians of Paris and its Metro. They are anonymous to the viewers at first, as they are to their audience in the subway stations and squares. Even the normally nonchalant Parisians seem taken with the charm and talent of these modern day troubadours, accordionists, guitarists, and classical and jazz singers. They don't even seem to mind the obligatory pitch for "financial reward." On one train, riders are treated to a jazz singer in dreadlocks, guitarist, and full acoustic bass. When the filmmakers begin questioning the performers their nervousness about their legal status becomes immediately apparent. Many are political and/or economic refugees whose "papers" are questionable. As they feel less threatened with the questions, they open up and reveal the warmth, and in some cases, their own households to the cameras. They are, after all, performers. It is surprising to find they have so much in common. Most have professional music backgrounds, from National Opera companies to renowned conservatories. Some record in Paris studios, while at the same time fight discrimination and poverty, always with grace. Most come from large musical families. A highlight of the documentary is the large diverse gathering in a public square to perform together. The Underground Orchestra is a rare combination of entertainment, culture, and first rate film making. Highly recommended for all collections.