Martha Argerich Documentary 'Martha' to Premiere at Warsaw International Film Festival
Martin Mirabel’s new documentary Martha offers an intimate portrait of legendary pianist Martha Argerich, following her across a decade of touring and drawing on personal archives, performances and friendships spanning six decades.
The highly anticipated feature documentary Martha, offering an unprecedented look into the life of legendary classical pianist Martha Argerich, will celebrate its world premiere next month at the 42nd Warsaw International Film Festival.
Directed by Martin Mirabel, the 80-minute Swiss-French co-production has been selected as one of the hallmark events of the festival’s prestigious Special Screenings lineup. Audiences in Warsaw will be the first in the world to view the film, with official screenings scheduled for October 13 at 17:00 and October 14 at 20:30 at the Atlantic C theatre.
The documentary is born from an original concept by Argerich’s daughter, Annie Dutoit-Argerich, who collaborated closely on the project. This familial involvement grants the film remarkable, intimate access to one of classical music’s most notoriously private and enigmatic figures.
Rather than a traditional, rigid biography, Martha captures the virtuoso as she approaches her 85th birthday, maintaining the same explosive, untamed creative energy that defined her early career. Mirabel followed Argerich on the road for nearly a decade, capturing the whirlwind of her international touring life. The result is a privileged, close-up window into her daily reality, balancing extensive never-before-seen personal archives with electric live performance footage.
The narrative spans a 60-year legacy, focusing intensely on the dual anchors of Argerich’s life: her absolute devotion to music and her deep, enduring friendships. The film features appearances by several of her most notable musical contemporaries and close confidants, including cellist Mischa Maisky, conductor Charles Dutoit, and the late pianist Nelson Freire.
Produced jointly by Actua Films and Artline Films in partnership with broadcasters ARTE France and RTS, the documentary is poised to be a major highlight for international classical music and cinema enthusiasts alike as it begins its global festival run.
