Milos Forman’s 1984 Mozart biopic, “Amadeus,” made little mention of Wolfie’s older sister, Maria Anna, nicknamed Nannerl. Now, “Mozart’s Sister,” written, directed and produced by France’s René Féret, with a big assist from his family, makes amends.
Billed as a “reimagined” account of the early years of the brother-sister prodigies, the film follows them and their parents on a three-year coach tour to introduce the musicians to the royal courts of Europe. Nannerl, it seems, was just as talented as her brother — singing, composing and playing the violin and harpsichord — but when she reached marriageable age, she was no longer allowed to perform or compose. Not a single composition by Nannerl survives, so the music on the soundtrack is original.
Her life was tragic. She had a loveless marriage to an older man with five children from previous wives, and she had three kids of her own. She was blind and lonely when she died at age 78 in 1829.
Féret has turned “Mozart’s Sister” into a family affair. Nannerl is portrayed by his 15-year-old daughter, Marie, while her sister, Lisa, 13, plays a convent-bound daughter of King Louis XV. For good measure, Féret cast himself, his brother and his brother’s son in minor roles; the director’s wife, Fabienne, is the film’s editor.
“Mozart’s Sister” had a much smaller budget than “Amadeus,” but Féret makes good use of his resources, even getting to film in the splendid halls of Versailles. The cast is excellent, be they relatives of the director or not. And the music, though not by a Mozart, is beautiful.