Tchaikovsky Files, The: Confessions Of A Composer

By: Juaname

Having little familiarity with Tchaikovsky beyond Swan Lake and Nutcracker Suite, this was a highly insightful introduction to the personal Tchaikovsky. Hearing the readings from his diaries and letters against a backdrop of contemporary Russia reminds a viewer that in terms of GLBT acceptance, we still have a LONG way to go -- the more things change, the more things stay the same? This film definitely needs more exposure -- IMDB anyone, please?

By: Amos Lassen

I just learned about this film and it sounds fascinating. It is based on Tchaikovsky's diaries and letters and director Ralf Pleger discovers an entirely new side and gives us a very different profile of the man whose mind and talent brought us such wonderful music. The focus is on what it meant for Tchaikovsky, a homosexual man, to have to live his life in a homophobic environment. This becomes all the more relevant because of the of recent developments in Putin's Russia. We see an emotional psychological portrait of Tchaikovsky and his fate as being at the mercy of a homophobic environment. International artists and experts reveal their very personal approach to Tchaikovsky and his music.

The film was produced to tie into the 175th birthday of Tchaikovsky in May 2015. Russian ballet star Vladimir Malakhov and the American organ virtuoso Cameron Carpenter reveal their very personal approach to Tchaikovsky and his music.