Conduct! Every Move Counts

Conduct! Every Move Counts is a riveting documentary film released in 2016. The movie features Nojan Arfaei, Alondra de la Parra, and Andreas Hotz as its primary characters, amongst others, showcasing their struggles and achievements in the world of orchestral conducting. It is directed by Alex Schmidt, who presents this deep, exciting, and emotional journey into the world of music like never before.

The movie follows Amadeus-, an Iranian, Andreas, a German, Alondra from Mexico, and their fellow competitors from all over the world, presenting diversified personality and cultural backgrounds. This deeply humanistic portrait zooms in on their ups and downs, their struggles through defeat, the ecstasy of victory, and their endeavor to make a name for themselves in a domain dominated by traditionally those with privilege and power.

Conduct! Every Move Counts starts off by venturing into the highly competitive world of orchestral conducting. Every year, the biggest international conducting competition, "The Sir Georg Solti Conductors' Competition," takes place in Frankfurt, Germany. The movie centers around the competition as many aspiring, talented conductors prepare themselves for the biggest challenge of their careers.

Amongst the competition is Nojan Arfaei, the charmingly flamboyant Iranian conductor. We get to experience his journey, revelations, and struggles throughout the competition. Nojan adds substance and style to the entire documentary, establishing a propulsion in the narrative. The viewer experiences this profoundly personal journey, entering into Arfaei's mind and the minds of his fellow competitors.

The central characters of the film, Alondra de la Parra, the passionate Mexican conductor, and Andreas Hotz, the stern yet tender German conductor, bring additional dimensions to the narrative structure. Each character embodies a different approach to music and conducting, symbolizing the diversity of style and interpretation involved in this artistic endeavor.

Alex Schmidt provides audiences a behind-the-scenes look at this grand competition, not merely as an event but as a catalyst that can completely change future conductors' lives. She does an exceptional job in following the journey of these significant characters with a dose of suspense, excitement, passion, and untapped emotion throughout the movie. She tactfully explores the adrenaline rush amongst the participants of the competition, various dynamics at play, the excitement, stress, and passion involved in the process.

Music, of course, plays an enormous role in the film. We witness the music's magic, its technicalities, its highs and lows, and how it can evoke deep emotions and passion within people. As the characters delve into the heart of the music, the audience experiences the transformative and captivating power of the melodies that resonate through the theater. Throughout the movie, each note matters, each motion means something, and every instruction delivered by the conductor can alter the orchestra's sound dramatically, thus making every move count.

The film also brings to life the often overlooked, majestic art of conducting. It gives the spectator a newfound respect for the conductor's complex role in bringing together the orchestra's diverse parts into one harmonious whole, balancing both technical mastery and a deep emotional connection to the music. The process of conducting is magnificently portrayed as passionate, intense, and surprisingly personal.

Conduct! Every Move Counts is a celebration of music, a testament to perseverance, an exploration of character, and above all, a demonstration that it takes to master one's craft. Through the individual personalities of the competitors and their unique approaches to their performances, the viewer gains insight into the exciting and often stressful world of aspiring conductors.

In a nutshell, this documentary explores the intricacies and complexities of the art of conducting, illuminating the conductor's role and vision, the striving for perfection, and the dedicated persistence required to succeed. The story teaches that in this art form, like in life, one cannot succeed without hard work, passion, and personal sacrifice, for indeed, in orchestral conducting, every move counts. The film appeals not only to classical music enthusiasts but also to people who appreciate an extraordinary competition, personal growth, and the pursuit of a dream. It captures the human spirit, the power of music, the bitter taste of defeat, and the sweet joy of victory. This film carries a universal message that resonates with everyone, regardless of their musical interests.