Nevertheless, living in underprivileged Parisian suburbs in 1995 with their Algerian background, their dreams of becoming an orchestra conductor and a cellist seem very far away. They are top of their class and try to integrate into a world that is not theirs.

While giving a lecture to the class, Sergiu Celibidache, a maestro, discovers that Zahia has what it takes to become a maestro, and gives her the opportunity to learn in his private class, where she also takes her sister to play in the orchestra. Driven by determination, passion, and courage, they create their own orchestra, Divertimento.

The idea of the orchestra is to bring together people, and use music as a way to elevate everyone, from the inhabitants of Seine Saint Denis, to the kids having a shared purpose. ‘Divertimento’ is inspired by the life of Zahia Ziouani, one of the few worldwide renowned female conductors.