Argerich

Argerich is a compelling documentary film from 2012 that delves into the personal and professional life of Martha Argerich, the internationally acclaimed Argentine-Swiss pianist. This captivating film, packed with intriguing content sunk deep into the music and life of Argerich, is directed and produced by her daughter Stéphanie Argerich. In this inimitable documentary, Argerich's life is portrayed not merely from a child's perspective but through a unique blend of family history, intimate interviews, and musical performances that bring together multiple layers of Martha's persona.

The film opens with vignettes of Argerich as a mother, filled with naturalistic home footage, candid moments and intimate details that epitomizes a caring, warm, and loving persona. In the spotlight is not just the globally celebrated pianist but a woman, mother, and friend, whose life off-stage is as captivating as her life on-stage.

Martha Argerich's relationship with her ex-husband, much-respected English concert pianist Stephen Kovacevich, forms a significant part of the movie. It takes the audience on a voyage deep into their intriguing and intense bond, their lives as pianists, and parents offering a detailed anecdote of how their careers and lives intertwined.

Their daughter—and also the director of the film—Stéphanie Argerich provides a narrative, exploring their world from her perspective as a child. The candid mother-daughter and father-daughter interactions give a sense of intimacy and reality to a story that might otherwise appear inaccessible due to the larger-than-life musical personas at its center.

Through the film, Martha Argerich—one of the most creative and explosive pianists of the last five decades—emerges as a figure that is honest, bold, and elusive at the same time. The film grapples with her immense talent, her command over the piano, and her performances, which highlights the vulnerability and strength of Argerich.

The third main character of the film is Lyda Chen, Martha Argerich’s elder daughter from another relationship. This aspect of the film showcases the dynamics of the extended family, their interactions, relationships, and how they all feed into the whirlpool of Martha's life. There is footage of Lyda's conversations with Martha and Stéphanie, as well as solo interviews, that reveal interesting aspects of their relationships and the influence Martha's music and persona have on their lives.

The film is interspersed with ample footage of Argerich’s exceptional performances, which are sure to leave classical music enthusiasts spellbound. These clips provide a glimpse into her music-making process – the frenzy, passion, and commitment that marks her piano performances, setting her apart in the world of classical music. They also highlight the huge influence she has had in the world of classical music over the years.

Argerich is a layered portrait encapsulating much more than just Martha Argerich’s musical career. It captures a sense of her ferocity, intensity, and sensitivity, painting a picture that resonates on both a personal level with regards to family dynamics and on a professional level in the world of classical music.

Towards the end, the film evolves into an examination of memory, aging, and art – how they intersect in the life of a genius and the people surrounding her. It's about the tussles of Argerich's personal life, her views on music, her approach to performances, her take on teaching, her reluctance to give solo concerts, her preference for playing with others, her smoking, her bouts with cancer and much more.

In short, this is not a biographical sketch of a virtuoso. Instead, it is a complex exploration of an artist as a person, an in-depth look at the woman behind the piano, her relationships, her journey, and above all, her music. For those who have been captivated by the artistic brilliance of Martha Argerich, this film provides a treasure of insight into her fascinating life. It's a must-watch, not only for the fans of Argerich or classical music but valuable for anyone interested in exploring the profound depth of human relationships and creativity.