Instruments of a Beating Heart

Yikes but the amount of clutter kids take to school these days! We join a group of first year primary school, mask-wearing, children who are tasked with performing their own version of Beethoven's instantly recognisable "Ode to Joy". There's going to be a series of auditions and they are going to test these youngsters as they not only have to have some competence to play the big drum, cymbal. Tambourine etc, but to have the confidence to engage in this whole selection process - one where they cannot all win. It's Ayame who is desperate for one such honour, but can she overcome her own nerves and her fellow students to make the grade? The kids seem perfectly oblivious to the presence of the camera as they playfully and naturally compete. There are teary moments, fretful ones and there's the odd strop but essentially this is quite a powerful endorsement of the patience and skill of the teachers who manage to instil in their pupils a sense of participation, commitment and competitiveness without ever becoming aggressive or angry. This is clearly a well resourced school and the youngsters are actively encouraged to take part in a great many activities designed to introduce and develop their senses of inter-reliance and friendship, and there are more than enough characters here for us to engage. It also offers us a rather depressing reminder of the travails of "social distancing" and somehow those plastic screens seem even more alienating in this emotionally-charged environment, but they don't detract from the overall aim of working together positively, creatively and enjoyably. Thankfully, there is no recorder in their repertoire but even so, I might do without ever hearing this tune again!

"Instruments of a Beating Heart", directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki, is a short documentary that uses a simple premise-the preparation of a group of Japanese schoolchildren to perform an orchestral version of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy"-as a backdrop to explore deeper cultural issues. The film follows Ayame, a young student struggling to find her place in the musical ensemble, facing pressures that go far beyond simply mastering her instrument. The rigorous dedication demanded from the children reflects values deeply rooted in Japanese education, such as the emphasis on harmony and the weight of collective responsibility. At the same time, Yamazaki paints a nuanced portrait, revealing the dilemmas of discipline and conformity within this system without resorting to simplistic judgments.

Yamazaki's work is a triumph in how it balances emotion and reflection. Ayame, as the protagonist, isn't just captivating; she becomes a mirror for the complexities of Japan's educational culture. The film's editing turns her journey into something that resonates like a classic underdog story, with ups and downs that keep the audience hooked. Moments of vulnerability, like Ayame's public reprimand, are interwoven with scenes of resilience that highlight both the pressure and her ability to adapt and grow. The masterful cinematography by Kazuki Kakurai and his team adds to the film's intimacy, capturing every emotion with almost visceral closeness. The documentary's dramatic structure, while genuine, feels reminiscent of a sports movie narrative, which makes its conclusion all the more powerful.

However, the film doesn't stop at Ayame's individual journey. It subtly questions the balance between discipline and freedom in a child's upbringing. By showcasing both the benefits and the costs of the Japanese system, Yamazaki turns "Instruments of a Beating Heart" into a genuine test of perspective. It's impossible to watch without reflecting on the implications of social pressure versus celebrating individuality, especially in societies that handle these values so differently. While the focus is on young Ayame, the film opens up broader, universal discussions, maintaining an emotionally engaging and visually captivating approach. Ultimately, Yamazaki delivers a work that not only moves viewers but sparks lasting debates about education, culture, and the role of resilience in shaping character.

Road to the Oscars 2025: This is nominated in 1 category best documentary short.

This was an interesting but in the end rather dull documentary. I think I liked it overall but I don´t really see the greater point of it other than showing another culture and how it works different than mine. That´s interesting and all but the setting for it is rather weak.

Ayame is asked to play the symbols at a first grader concert. This is rather challenging to her.

What this documentary wants to highlight is the work ethic and culture in Japan compared to many other places. The states are higher somehow, the feelings are extreme for one in first grade. The entire documentary shows that the kids take it very seriously, are asked to performed perfectly, encourage, scolded, but in the end they succeed, so did the extreme feelings work and pay of? You´ll be the judge I guess.

The documentary doesn't really offer more than that. It is this passive viewer in this scenario and lets you judge everything witch is grade, but for me it was hard to get fully engaged when it´s this young children performing a little song.

Overall I liked what I saw but nothing that could get my pulse fully up.

Oscar predictions: This is the only short documentary I have watched and it was fine. I don´t really know much about any of the others but I hope there is something a bit more hard hitting than this.