Following the Ninth

2013, 70’, Kerry Candaele. English.

Thursday 3 December at 6.00 pm.
Théâtre Monnot – Ashrafieh.

Following the Ninth is a documentary film about the global impact of Ludwig van Beethoven’s final symphony. Written in 1824, near the end of Beethoven’s life, the Ninth Symphony was composed by a man who was sick, alienated from almost everyone, and completely deaf. Despite the love he missed, Beethoven created an anthem of joy dedicated to human kind.
Celebrated to this day for its ability to heal, repair, and bring people together over great divides, the Ninth has become an anthem of liberation and hope that has inspired many around the world: from Tiananmen Square and Berlin Wall in 1989, from to Chilean opposition to Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011, the film takes us into the power of the Ninth and how this symphony contributes to change the world.

مهرجان بيروت للأفلام الفنية الوثائقية

Following the Ninth se penche sur les retentissements de la Neuvième symphonie de Ludwig van Beethoven dans les sociétés modernes. Composée en 1824, vers la fin de sa vie, la Neuvième est la création d’un homme isolé, incompris et sourd. Privé d’amour et de bonheur familial, il a créé et offert à l’humanité son Hymne à la joie. Cet hymne fédérateur d’espoir a inspiré et stigmatisé de nombreux mouvements populaires : de la place Tiananmen au mur de Berlin en 1989, de la résistance chilienne au tsunami de 2011 au Japon, le film soulève les questions du pouvoir de l’art et de l’universalité d’une œuvre.