In Detail

An allegorical pseudo-documentary, the film depicts an Italian television crew s visit to a dilapidated auditorium (a converted 13th century church) to meet an orchestra assembling to rehearse under the instruction of a tyrannical conductor. The TV crew interviews the various musicians who each speak lovingly about their chosen instruments.

However, as petty squabbles break out amid the different factions of the ensemble, and the conductor berates his musicians, the meeting descends into anarchy and vandalism. By turns amusing and thoughtful, and abounding with its director s trademark rich imagery and expressive style, the film is often interpreted as a metaphor for Italian politics.

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