Tickets to Rochester screenings will be sold at the door.
Based on a true story, Mademoiselle Paradis is set in 18th-century Vienna and tells the tale of blind pianist Maria Theresa von Paradis. While the young woman is truly gifted, her lack of sight and perceived disadvantage have led to her parent’s willingness to do anything and everything to restore it. They take Maria to a physician with unconventional techniques, Dr. Franz Mesmer, hoping for a miracle. While Dr. Mesmer’s reputation within social circles is that of an eccentric, his relationship to, and understanding of, Maria inspires new progress.
Along the way, director Barbara Albert showcases the various themes that revolve around this unexpected duo—age, gender roles and the contrast of the artistry found in both science and music. In a seemingly unbelievable twist, Maria’s sight is gradually restored. Will this new beginning lead to happiness or to more discord?
Director Biography
Austrian filmmaker Barbara Albert was born in 1970 in Vienna. She is known for Nordrand (’99) and Fallen (’06). She is one of the heads of Coop 99, a production company.
Press
"A fresh, inquisitive portrait, Mademoiselle Paradis is less interested in its subject’s potted biography than in how her era’s vicious politics of class and gender affected her plight." - Variety
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