By Xinrui Ma
First Chair is a short film by the Montgomery brothers, Ethan and Luke, that follows the story of a clarinet player reevaluating her talent and pursuing her goal of claiming the first chair in a school music program. The storyline is simple, but the emotions of self-direction resonate with many talented students seeking their passion and place in the music industry. Through relentless practice and rehearsals, one can earn a place in a music band, but reaching the top demands even more effort. Every talent grapples with the pressure of chasing their dream positions in life and often has to sacrifice something else to achieve their goals. At the end of the film, the clarinet player gives up her interest in playing the piano and singing to focus on retaining her first chair position in clarinet. Despite the bittersweet ending—losing her interest—we can’t say it was the wrong decision because her dedication to clarinet practice helped her secure her first chair title in the band. Perhaps she will rediscover her interest one day; after all, it’s about how you perceive yourself and take action to achieve your current goals.
This film conveys the message that one should bolster self-esteem and determine what is most important to pursue at the right moment.
I would give this film a 5 out of 5 stars.
Xinrui Ma is a recent graduate of New York University (NYU) with Cum Laude and University Honors, where she earned a B.S. in Media, Culture, and Communication.
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