The Pit

A graduation film about someone who’s also graduating would be the shortest possible summary of (as in orchestra). The film follows an aspiring conductor named Denis during his last examination pieces at Ukraine’s National Music Academy in Kiev. Denis is graduating with a performance of Rossini's and has 35 days to perfect the opera with a school orchestra and singers. But which version will he perform: one with cuts or a new edition? Will the orchestra ever play in time? A critical teacher provides some biting commentary. Denis’s conducting lacks soul – he’s not really ready yet. is located almost entirely in the beautiful Music Academy building and takes the form of an opera, with an overture, acts and a real intermezzo. Slightly stylized images show Denis’s trials and tribulations without commentary. The film’s motto is “”: a rough road leads to the stars. Denis will make it in the end.