Chloe Knuth Vitus Fredi M. Murer February 2, 2006 Film Switzerland
How does this music, film, or art connect to your culture as well as other cultures?
This film connects to my culture because it demonstrates parents’ high expectations for their children. Vitus, a piano prodigy, gets pushed by his parents to continue playing the piano even though it’s not his passion anymore. Switzerland’s culture is very similar to American culture since both include parents’ wishes for their children to excel in some kind of way so that they can brag about their kids. The desire for prodigal sons and daughters are expressed in both of these countries and in most developed countries too.
2. What is the central theme or message of the piece(s)? How was that evoked by the piece? How is that message relevant to cultures other than the one shown in the piece? The theme of this film is that labels shouldn’t be the only thing that people see. A person is more than that what others label them. From a very early age, Vitus is expected to fill the role of a genius, but he just wants to be normal. He feels isolated from the real world and can’t make any friends because of his extremely high IQ and is labeled as a piano prodigy. The film incorporates Vitus’s dreams and aspirations, which differ from his parents’. It shows his intense hope to somehow become normal. The message of this film is relevant in other cultures too since other cultures also only see people as labels and judge them based on this label.
3. What does the piece indicate about the culture of the country where the piece is from?Consider such things as family structure, gender roles, politics, economic status, education,poverty, sports, customs, foods, war, etc. The film depicts Switzerland as an industrialized country like America. Vitus eats the same food as Americans. The most prevalent thing that’s different is the language. The movie is all in Swiss German. The family structure is the same. The father is the head of the household and the mother is the caretaker. He listens to his parents and do what they want in the beginning, but then becomes more rebellious. This is normal in American culture too. The Switzerland economy and the education system is in good shape too.
4. Describe the mood or thoughts (affect) evoked by the piece. Describe the devices used by the artist(s) to create this effect (i.e. compositional technique, media, use of elements and principles, etc.) The mood is very serious most of the time. Vitus is expected to outperform everyone else on the piano and in school. The producer made the film like this to emphasize the pressure Vitus was under. Then at the end, the film’s mood become lighter because Vitus fakes an injury to his head so that everyone thinks that he’s normal now. This part is pretty funny actually. The mood is jovial and happy because Vitus finally got what he wanted: a normal life.
5. Research the historical context/significance of the piece. How does the piece “fit” into this larger/global context? Vitus is based off a real person. The history of this film is based off of Teo Gheorghiu, born in 1992. He has received multiple highly esteemed piano awards at the age of 12. In 2004, he played at the Tonhalle Zurich Hall, one of the most renowned concert halls to date. Since then, he has performed concerts throughout the world. This film “fits” into global context because of its overarching theme. Vitus desperately wants to feel like he belongs and is accepted by his peers and his family. The problem of this need to feel acceptance is not only in our culture, but cultures around the world.
6. How did this experience change your world view? This film changed my world view by showing me the negative stereotyping that comes with being different. Completely different spectrums of intelligence levels, genius or mentally retarded, are both considered “abnormal”, and so are ostracized. Vitus had no one, except his grandfather, because people didn’t see him, they only saw what he could become. His own parents used him to boost their self-esteem. I now understand that cultures all over the world are the same in this aspect.