Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould

Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould, directed by award-winning Canadian director François Girard, is a distinctive, entrancing biopic – unlike any other – that celebrates the life, genius, and eccentricities of a truly remarkable individual. The film was released in 1993 and features prolific actor Colm Feore in a captivating leading role, with exceptional supporting performances by Derek Keurvorst and Katya Ladan.

This fascinating movie is based on the mercurial life of the renowned Canadian pianist, Glenn Gould, a man who defied norms in the world of classical music with his singular style of piano playing, peculiar habits, and seemingly insatiable curiosity about the extent of human artistry. Famous for his deeply moving interpretations of pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, Gould’s life was filled with musical riches, contemplations, passions, idiosyncrasies, and ultimately, loneliness.

The film cleverly eschews a conventional linear narrative, instead adopting a stunningly innovative structure. It brings the life of Gould into focus through a series of thirty-two short films or vignettes, likening the segments to individual movements in a musical composition. Each of these cinematic 'shorts' delves into different aspects of Gould's world, giving us an intimate glimpse into his musical process, personal principles, philosophical perspectives, and daily routines.

The film’s unique title refers to the “Goldberg Variations” by Bach - one of Gould’s most loved pieces, which comprises of an aria followed by 30 variations and an aria da capo, thus making it a set of thirty-two pieces of music. The cinematic vignettes explore a wide range of facets, styles and modes, with some adopting surrealist tendencies, some mimicking interviews, some exclusively showcasing performances, while a few even venture into animated storytelling.

In this complex and thoughtfully crafted film, Colm Feore breathes life into the character of Glenn Gould. Feore’s intricate portrayal of this troubled genius is both nuanced and compelling, allowing the audience to truly recognize the multi-dimensional complexities of Gould’s character. Derek Keurvorst and Katya Ladan, in their roles, provide compelling support, guiding the narrative and providing context to Gould’s life.

While the film can be considered biographical in nature, it cannot quite be classified as a biopic in the traditional sense. The focused emphasis on Gould’s temperament and ideologies, through a variety of narrative styles, renders this film an experiment in exploring the mind and the personality of a maestro rather than just a linear portrayal of his life. It offers a compelling investigation into Gould's world, giving a sense both his profound impact on the world of music and his deeply engrained quirks.

Renowned for its experimental narrative structure, the film is not only about Glenn Gould the musician; it is also about Glenn Gould, the man. It delves into the depths of his singularity, his thoughtful solitude, his distinctive perspective of the world, and most significantly his consuming relationship with music. It reveals through the vignettes his interaction with the staff at a roadside diner, his thought process while playing the piano, his philosophies around performance, his disdain for the audience, his love for northern landscapes, and his famous hypochondria.

Furthermore, the film undertaken by Girard explores Gould's often contentious relationship with technology. Narratives delve into his views about recording technologies, his desire to experiment with radio documentary formats, his passionate advocacy of multi-track recording, and his intriguing ideas about the potential of global interconnectedness – a foresight visionary and intriguing given the digital age we now live in.

One detail worth noting is that Gould almost entirely refrained from performing in public later on in his life, out of a belief that he could reach his artistic peak in the silent confines of a recording studio rather than under the public scrutiny of the concert stage. The movie does a stellar job in portraying this countercultural stance adopted by Gould, and how his studio recordings, despite his absence in physical venues, left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.

Filled with memorable performances, beautifully crafted scenes, and deeply insightful storytelling, Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould is truly a divine ode to a prodigious musical genius - a film that is as innovative and unconventional as its subject. In its explorations, it challenges the boundaries of cinematic storytelling just as Gould himself did for music, making it a must-watch for both avid film audiences and enthusiasts of classical music.