On Thursday 23 March, the 8.15pm screening at Rialto VU will be introduced by LA RIOT editor Joule Zheng Wang. Please note that this introduction is in English.
Tár
Lydia Tár has made a dazzling career in the world of classical music. Besides being a virtuoso pianist, she is also a brilliant conductor. In the latter capacity, she travels from New York to Berlin to record Mahler's fifth symphony with the Berliner Philharmoniker. Also living in Berlin is Sharon, concertmaster AND her wife, with whom she has adopted a child. Her personal assistant Francesca is also there. The orchestra rehearsals go on as usual until news reaches her that a former protégé of hers has committed suicide. Less pleasant sides of Lydia become increasingly visible.
This film by Todd Field, his first in 16 years, is essentially a character study. Field shows what moves Lydia and does so with conviction thanks to the brilliant performance of Cate Blanchett, who not only portrays Lydia's complex personality with great nuance and layering, she also convinces as a conductor. It earned her a Golden Globe, among other awards.