Conducting the Void

In La Musique du Geste, Isabelle Dumont captures an essential strangeness:

that of a conductor who appears to impose nothing,

yet whose mere presence gives structure to the whole.

A maestro as a hollow centre.

An axis around which energy flows.

— suggested
suspended —

inviting —
— flickering

— available
permeated —

The film retraces the career of George-Élie Octors, but above all, it observes his silent way of being in the world.

In an era saturated with speech and authority figures, this documentary offers a different image:
that of a fluid, intangible talent, rooted in listening.

A major figure of Belgian contemporary art since the 1970s, Georges-Élie Octors has lent his presence and availability to an uncountable number of creations. He has made possible some of the most singular works in the contemporary musical landscape.

It was for him, in fact, that Thierry De Mey wrote Silence Must Be —
the famous piece without orchestra, for conductor alone.

When the audience finds itself facing the maestro’s gestures,
detached from sound, the question posed is radical and unprecedented:

Can the conductor’s gesture alone evoke a musical feeling?

In other words — can the body, in its barest expression,
become music?
Can it move us, even when nothing resounds,
but our own attention?

Produced by Maxime Coton, RUBIS Productions

Co-produced by Ictus & NEO TEN

Directed by Isabelle Dumont

Direction of photography by Jorge Leon

Filmed by Thomas Schira, Thierry De Mey, Arturo De Mey & Nicolas Van Achter

Edited by Filipa Cardoso