Watch They Came to Play

They Came to Play is a 2008 documentary film that highlights the beauty and intensity of a piano competition that attracts the best amateur pianists from around the world. The movie is directed by Alex Rotaru and produced by Peter Rosen. The competition featured in the movie is the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, which is held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas.

The film begins with a montage of amateur pianists practicing and preparing for the competition, giving the audience an idea of the kind of people who participate in this unique event. The movie then goes on to introduce several contestants in detail, each with their own unique story. As the contestants arrive in Texas, they are greeted with warm hospitality and strong competition.

The film expertly captures the many struggles and challenges involved in preparing for the competition. It takes a deep dive into the lives of the contestants, examining what drew them to music in the first place, and what drives them to keep playing. They Came to Play shows how music is not just a hobby for these competitors, but a way of life. Many of them have successful careers in other fields, but they take their piano playing seriously enough to participate in this intense competition.

Throughout the film, we see the contestants performing during the competition, with the camera capturing every key they hit, every emotion they feel, and every note they produce. The movie shows it all, including the judges’ reactions, the highs and lows of the performances, and the intense atmosphere in which the competition takes place.

The film also touches on the deep psychological aspects of preparing for and competing in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. It depicts the immense pressure these amateur players are under to perform at their best, and how their desire to win can sometimes take a toll on their mental health.

The contestants in the film come from all walks of life and different parts of the world, and their experiences are as diverse as their backgrounds. Some have been playing the piano since childhood, while others picked it up later in life. But all of them share a deep love for music and a desire to excel.

One of the participants in the movie is Henri Robert Delbeau, a retired entrepreneur from France who was passionate about the piano as a child, but never pursued it professionally. He found new life in playing the piano after his retirement and was excited to take on the competition. Another participant, Mark Fuller, was an engineer from California who started playing the piano as a hobby when he was a child, and has been playing ever since.

Clark Griffith, a computer science professor from Austin, Texas, is another participant in the competition. He first started playing the piano as a child but gave it up as he became an adult. He later returned to piano playing and fell in love with the music all over again. These three players, along with the other participants in the film, showcase the diverse array of contestants in the competition.

Overall, They Came to Play is a viewer's guide to the joy, heartbreaks and the sheer talent that go into amateur piano playing. The film is a compelling look into the sacrifices that talented amateurs are willing to make to pursue their passion, as well as the incredible camaraderie that can be found in competition. For those who want to understand the depth of emotion embodied in playing the piano, They Came to Play is a must-see.

They Came to Play is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.