“His resilience in allowing people to honour and respect what he was bringing to the table was just really compelling”: Kelvin Harrison Jr and Lucy Boynton on Chevalier

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 lucky enough to have a sit-down chat the stars of the film. Harrison Jr described being captivated by his character, Joseph, admiring his resilience and unique traits. Boynton, too, was intrigued by the contemporary feel of the characters and the script’s relevance to current societal discourses. Harrison Jr discussed the challenge of researching a character with sparse historical records, and injecting contemporary elements into his portrayal, like infusing the character with the rockstar spirit of Prince or Jimi Hendrix. Boynton, on the other hand, felt liberated by previous portrayals of her character, Marie Antoinette, and aimed to provide a fresh twist. The actors explored the dynamics between their characters, with Joseph seeking a community that respects and sees him, and Marie Antoinette initially supporting him but ultimately retreating into her privilege. Both characters go on intense journeys of self-discovery and self-love, leading to a dynamic and engaging narrative.

Sarah Bradbury

Chevalier is released nationwide on 9^th June 2023.

Watch the trailer for Chevalier here: