Chevalier: On the red carpet with Kelvin Harrison Jr, Lucy Boynton, Sian Clifford and Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo

Chevalier is the blisteringly good new period drama with a rock’n’roll edge from Stephen Williams, which unearths the untold story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, he was once hailed as the most talented musician in Europe after rising through the ranks of the French aristocracy with his ability to play the violin and compose music. Also an undefeated fencer, his legacy was destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte and the racism of 18^th century society.

Kelvin Harrison Jr knocks it out the park as Bologne, with dedication to mastering the violin for the role paying dividends, and he shares fantastic on-screen chemistry with his fellow cast, including Samara Weaving as Marie-Josephine de Montalembert (with whom Bologne had an affair), Lucy Boynton as friend-turned-foe Marie Antoinette, and Minnie Driver, leaning into her dark side as the duplicitous Marie-Madeleine Guimard. While the era is beautifully realised on-screen, the film has a contemporary vein coursing through it, from the blazing opening rap battle-style violin-off between Bologne and Mozart to the nuances of how his journey is as much about finding himself as a Black artist as it is about the society around him. The bristling unrest of the burgeoning French Revolution feels uncannily reminiscent of today in the people’s desire for fairness and freedom. It’s a tale of self-discovery, success against the odds and the importance of returning to whitewashed history to find truth.

The Upcoming were treated to a night on the red carpet with the stars of the film, accompanied by the sounds of Joseph Bologne’s String Quartet Opus 1 No 5 performed live. Kelvin Harrison Jr shared how he was drawn to the script’s cool depiction of an epic fencer violinist who becomes a key figure in the French Revolution. The complexity of his character posed a challenge, as did transforming into a master violinist in just five months – akin to studying for the biggest exam of his life. Beyond its historical backdrop, Chevalier delves into contemporary themes such as race, identity and self-love, and Harrison Jr believes everyone should understand their purpose. The actor described a fun and supportive atmosphere on-set, despite his initial nerves around the gifted cast. Reflecting on the importance of pulling stories like Joseph’s from the annals of history, he hopes Hollywood continues to unearth more such narratives.

Lucy Boynton then spoke about taking on the role of Marie Antoinette, which she saw as a unique opportunity to present a fresh perspective on the familiar, often villainised historical figure. She shared how working alongside Harrison Jr was a joy, with the actor’s talent and dedication not only elevating the film but creating a collaborative and motivating working environment; she also expressed admiration for his ability to capture and hold the audience’s attention in every scene. Finally, she reflected on how films like this one fill the gaps in our incomplete knowledge and understanding of history.

Sian Clifford told us about playing Madame De Genlis, an empowered female figure who was ahead of her time, and who Clifford was able to get her teeth into after substantial research. She also reflected on working alongside Harrison Jr and the importance of telling the story of Bologne.

Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo further spoke about playing Bologne’s mother, Nanon, and teasing out the complexities of their relationship and his journey to reconnect with his roots and identity.

Sarah Bradbury

Chevalier is released nationwide on 9^th June 2023.

Watch the trailer for Chevalier here: