Chevalier

Chevalier is a 2022 American biographical drama film based on the life of the titular French-Caribbean musician Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, played by Kelvin Harrison Jr. The film is directed by Stephen Williams and written by Stefani Robinson. The film also stars Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton, Marton Csokas, Alex Fitzalan, Minnie Driver, and Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo. Chevalier had its world premiere at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2022, and was released in the United States by Searchlight Pictures on April 21, 2023. The film received generally favorable reviews from critics. Plot In the late 1700s in Paris, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is performing on stage when a man who introduces himself as Joseph Bologne requests to accompany his performance of Violin Concerto No. 5. Initially both Mozart and the audience underestimate Joseph, but once he impresses them with his performance, the two musicians perform battling cadenza pieces, ending in a triumph for Joseph. Joseph is born in Guadeloupe to plantation owner and Nanon, an enslaved woman of African descent on de Bologne's plantation. As a child, Joseph is taken to a Parisian boarding school after his father notices his skill at violin and composition. Joseph is harassed by many of his peers and teachers but excels at his studies, music, and fencing. At the French court, Marie Antoinette is impressed by his skills after seeing him fence, and she knights him Chevalier de Saint-Georges ("Chevalier" is French for "knight"). Saint-Georges becomes a favored companion of the Queen and is popular member of court. Saint-Georges also attracts the attention of many female suitors, namely Marie-Madeleine Guimard, but he himself is attracted to .