Starring: Christianne de Bruijn, Scott Turner Schofield, Benjamin Wainwright, Seumas F. Sargent, Annet Malherbe Directors: Maria Peters HAVE you ever heard of Antonia Brico? Don’t be ashamed if the answer to that question is “no.” Many people, even those with degrees in musical fields, have no idea who she is. The short answer is that Brico is one of the most exceptional modern conductors of our time. She’s the first American to graduate from the Berlin State Academy of Music, and the first woman to conduct the New York Philharmonic. “The Conductor” is her story. As is the case with any sort of biopic, Brico’s (Christanne de Bruijn) story is spiced up a little here and there. With that in mind, it’s never done in a way that does Brico or her counterparts any disservice. “The Conductor” follows her journey to become a female conductor in an age where such a thing isn’t really “allowed.” From her humble roots as an adopted immigrant, all the way to her journey to Berlin, Antonia is constantly told she can’t do it. She’s reminded that “women can’t lead,” or that “women go on the bottom where they belong.” When she finally gets to sit down with a teacher she admires he gives her one solitary piece of advice: get married, have children. Time and time again she’s told to remember her place. And, time and time again, she reminds everyone around her that her place is in front of an orchestra. Brico’s story in “The Conductor” isn’t without allies. While on her journey, she meets Robin Jones (Scott Turner Schofield), a darling friend who will help her throughout her life, and the likes of the infamous Karl Much (Richard Sammel) who relentlessly guides her along the beginning of her career. She also meets some complicated friends like Frank Thomsen (Benjamin Wainwright), but it’s best to let their story play out on screen and not in this review. People may go into films like “The Conductor” and expect them to be drab, but it is happy to tell that Maria Peters’ film is far from it. Brico’s story is convincing, not just because it’s the job of the film to make you, but because of the fiery portrayal by de Brujin. The story moves from cold to warm and soft to sharp with deft precision, and it makes people fall in love with the likes of Brico and her friends almost effortlessly. Nestled within the film is an unexpected trans storyline that is handled with grace and without pomp and circumstance. Brico’s story is told beautifully not just through the depiction by de Brujin, or the screenplay written around the trailblazer’s life. It’s also stunningly shot with a score that will make you fall in love with the music just as deeply as the conductor herself has. “The Conductor” fills people’s heart with love and hope while giving something gorgeous to look at and listen to. It’s fierce, lovely, and complicated from start to finish, just like woman it portrays. The movie is now being screened in Shenzhen. (SD-Agencies) | 