CINÉ-CLUB MENDOIS : LES VIRTUOSES

Great Britain, 1996, 1 hr 47 mins, comedy-drama directed by Mark Herman, starring Tara Fitzgerald, Ewan McGregor and Pete Postlethwaite.

In the 1990s, the residents of the small town of Grimley in the north of England rose up against the closure of the coal mine, their main source of employment. Some had given up hope, but the members of the brass band – all miners – were determined to fight the closure. Among them is Danny, the brass band’s leader, who dreams of taking his band to the final of the national brass band championship at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Will he manage to rally his musicians, who are torn between their love of music and the need to fight to keep their jobs? The film is inspired by a true story and, with great emotion and humour, depicts a highly tense social climate resulting from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s policies. This serious subject highlights the importance of the social bonds forged through music. The film won the César Award for Best Foreign Film and received three BAFTA nominations (Best British Film, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Music).

Screening organised by the Ciné-Club Mendois as part of the 2026/2027 season
➜ This screening will be preceded by our annual general meeting at 7.30 pm.

MARK HERMAN