Anna Patricia G.

Ramos December 03, 2015

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2LM1

“Les Choristes”

The film entitled “Les Choristes” (“The Chorus”) which was a 2004 drama film directed by
Christophe Barratier tells the story of Clement Mathieu a failed musician who started working as
the supervisor of “Fond del l’Étang” and changing the lives of the boys living in the boarding
school who were considered as “difficult” by introducing them to music and letting them join in
the choir.

Different philosophical ideas/lessons are seen throughout the film one of which is the
philosophical idea introduced by Heraclitus. Heraclitus was the first one to say that everything in

the universe undergoes permanent change. Change was probably the most seen event that

happened throughout the film probably except for Mondain but almost everything changed . To
start with the boys who are staying at Fond del l’Étang before the arrival of Clement Mathieu
were totally rude, mean and has no problems with hurting other people especially those who did
something bad on them or those who rat them out. Change didn’t happen in a snap of a finger it

was a process. After Clement Mathieu saw how Rachin (the headmaster) punishes the boys he

attempted to win them over by being kind and humorous to them. He then forms a plan to teach

them how to sing and form a choir. After making the boys feel comfortable about singing it can

be clearly noticed of how the boy’s behaviour changed dramatically. They still have some bout

of naughtiness but the way they behave changed for the better. One of the boys whose behaviour
changed dramatically was Morhange who used to have no care in the world, became a person
who enjoys singing and the way he acts around Clement Mathieu was also quite noticeable.
 Another philosophical idea that was clearly seen on the film was introduced by William
James who agreed with Heraclitus stating that everything must undergo change (“Principle of
Ourselves as a Constantly Changing Water”). Yet, William James also introduced us with the

lesson that “actions are to be regarded as responses to circumstances and situations”. This
statement was clearly seen from the famous catchphrase of Rachin (who was the strict

headmaster of Fond del l’Étang) “Action, Reaction”. When one of the boys in the said boarding

house did something bad they will always be punished. This was applicable to William James

“actions are responses to situations”. The “reaction” that is done by Rachin in the film can
possibly be considered as the “action” in William James belief, because the “reaction done by

Rachin are responses to different circumstances and situations. To expound this idea is the scene
where Mondain who was described as a cruel “perveted” boy was causing trouble to the boarding
house by bullying and just being plain rebellious and was caught stealing a watch was locked up
for two weeks. Mondain being locked up for two is the chosen “action” done by Rachin.

Finally, another philosophical lesson that was learned from Philosophical Anthropology
was from Jean Paul Sartre. His belief that man is condemned to be free and when man chooses

for himself, he chooses for all men. That statement was shown in the film by decisions that are

made by Clement Mathieu. Clement Mathieu is a free man, he makes his own decisions and those

decisions that he made. He knew that that was not only for himself but for the boys of Fond del

l’Étang as well. To prove my point after witnessing how Rachin treated/punishes the boys he

made the decision to treat them the opposite way of how Rachin trets them . He knew that the

method of Rachin is not the best way to treat those boys. He knew that what they need is

kindness and humour. Another scene was when Mondain chose to burn Fond del l’Étang. He is a
free man, he chose to make that decision knowing that by making that decision will affect others
as well. It was his plan after all, he knew that he was free to make that decision and he grabbed

it. Another is how Rachin treated the boys of Fond del l’Étang he has the freedom to choose

between handlin them with kindness or with an iron fist. He chose to rule them with iron fist
knowing that the decision that he made was not for himself (his satisfaction) but for the boys of
Fond del l’Étang as well.