The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Joseph Bologne rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette and her court.
Acting
Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays violin AND swordfights. Showoff.
Score
Actual Bologne compositions finally getting their moment.
Costume
Marie Antoinette's wigs deserve their own billing.
Director
Stephen Williams
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kelvin Harrison Jr. trained for months on violin and sabre; the fencing is largely him.
Bologne's actual compositions were rediscovered in the 1970s after 200 years of obscurity — this film literally resurrects a ghost.
US
