Russia's Wonderchildren

Boy, those Russian kids sure can play piano! That's the essential message of this German-made documentary from Siberian-born documentarian Irene Langemann. The movie takes a look at Moscow's Central Music School, which accepts child music prodigies (or musical "interpreters," as they're called here) and charges no fees. And then it takes another look. And another. And nothing much happens. At first, this isn't a problem -- the images of Moscow are beautifully shot, and some of the teachers come up with wonderful metaphors, like the one who disciplines excessively loud playing with the phrase "Dwarves are so small and light, don't make elephants out of them!" But at about the 45-minute mark, you wonder if there's going to be any kind of dramatic tension whatsoever. At about the hour mark, you're still wondering. And then it happens: Teen pianist Lena Kolesnichenko, who entertained the pope and other international luminaries in her younger years, dislikes her agent's plan to get her into an American school, where he's convinced the superior libraries and information access will take her to the next level. She'd rather study in Germany, as per the recommendations of her fatherly mentor, a concert pianist and teacher named Krainer. There are some other children profiled as well, but none with conflicts so interesting: Young Mitya dreams of owning a BMW one day, and little Irina conjures up poetic metaphors about using her playing to create a soft breeze that will make flowers dance. This is hardly Shine, however; the kids seem to lead happy lives, and like what they're doing. Good for them, but contented folks aren't exactly the stuff from which drama is made.