In Dublin, in 1985, the political and social situation was tense. Because of the economic problems that this inevitably produces, Conor, 15 years old, is transferred by decision of his parents to the Catholic school for men Singe Street, a school that is Catholic only has the cassocks because Brother Baxter beats students without hesitation. Accustomed to a neater and more sophisticated environment, it's normal that Conor has trouble adapting to the bunch of bullies and rude boys at his new school, even getting a beating from Barry.
Every morning, a girl, Raphina, shows up in front of the school, as if she is waiting for someone. Conor, the shy guy we think we know, just comes up to her and asks for her number because his band is shooting a new music video and they need a model. Raphina accepts. Now Conor must form a band.
You can never do anything by half. Do you understand that?
With Darren's help, they get a group of guys willing to play different music. His brother, who dropped out of college and just listens to music all day, instructs him on real rock and roll and how to win a girl over with his music.
Rock and roll is a risk. You risk being ridiculed.
Sing Street doesn't hide the awkwardness of adolescence, such as the first kiss, the first date, the bullying, the humiliation of teachers. Nor does it hide the racism that existed at the time, as Darren makes flippant comments about at least one member of the band having to be black, to make it more ''exotic''. When they sought out Ngig, they spoke as if he didn't know the language.
Themes such as child abuse, drugs, alcoholism, domestic abuse, mental disorders and death emerge. However, the characters talk about them casually, mentioning it in conversation as if it were nothing and don't elaborate further. The social situation in Dublin has forced them to ''put up with it'' and focus on more ''important'' things.
You're the youngest. You get to follow the path that I macheted through the jungle that is our mad family. I was alone with them for six years. You think they're crazy now? Think about what they were like when they were in their late 20s. Two Catholics in a rented flat with a screaming baby who just got married because they wanted to have sex. They didn't even love each other. I was in the middle of that, alone! And you followed the path that I cut for us. Untouched.
Even with the seriousness of these themes, Sing Street manages to make the story bearable, with its original music and fills us with hope at the end. It reinforces the message that no matter what is happening in the world, in the family or school, the music isn't going anywhere. So many of the songs won't leave our head such as, ''Drive it like you stole it'', ''The riddle of the model'' and ''Up''.
S P A N I S H
En Dublín, en el año 1985, la situación política y social estaba tensa. Por los problemas económicos que esto inevitablemente produce, Conor, de 15 años, es transferido por decisión de sus padres al colegio católico para hombres Singe Street, un colegio que de católico solo tiene las sotanas pues el Hermano Baxter golpea sin dudar a los estudiantes. Acostumbrado a un ambiente más pulcro y sofisticado, es normal que Conor tenga problemas para adaptarse al montón de bullies y chicos rudos de su nuevo colegio, llegando incluso a recibir una paliza de parte de Barry.
Todas las mañanas, una chica, Raphina, se deja ver frente al colegio, como si esperase a alguien. Conor, el chico tímido que creemos conocer, se acerca sin más a pedirle el número porque su banda grabará un nuevo vídeo musical y necesitan de una modelo. Raphina acepta. Ahora Conor debe formar una banda.
Nunca se puede hacer nada a medias. ¿Lo entiendes?
Con ayuda de Darren, consiguen un grupo de chicos dispuestos a tocar música diferente. Su hermano, que dejó la universidad y solo escucha música todo el día, le instruye sobre el verdadero rock and roll y cómo conquistar a una chica con su música.
El rock and roll es un riesgo. Te arriesgas a hacer el ridículo.
Sing Street no oculta las incomodidades características de la adolescencia como, por ejemplo, del primer beso, la primera salida, el bullying, la humillación de los profesores. Tampoco esconde el racismo que existía en la época, pues Darren hace comentarios impertinentes sobre, al menos, un miembro de la banda debía ser negro, para volverla más ‘’exótica’’. Cuando buscaron a Ngig, hablaban como si él no supiera el idioma.
Surgen temas como abuso de menores, drogas, alcoholismo, maltrato doméstico, trastornos mentales y muerte. Sin embargo, los personajes hablan de ellos de manera casual, mencionandolo en una conversación como si nada y no elaboran más al respecto. La situación social de Dublín los ha obligado a ‘’soportarlo’’ y enfocarse en en cosas más ‘’importantes’’.
Eres el más joven. Tienes que seguir el camino que he trazado a través de la jungla que es nuestra loca familia. Estuve solo con ellos durante seis años. ¿Crees que están locos ahora? Piensa en cómo eran cuando tenían más de 20 años. Dos católicos en un piso alquilado con un bebé gritón que acababan de casarse porque querían tener sexo. Ni siquiera se amaban. Yo estaba en medio de eso, ¡solo! Y seguiste el camino que yo corté para nosotros. Sin ser tocado.
A pesar de la seriedad de estos temas, Sing Street logra hacer llevadera la historia, con su música original y nos llena de esperanza al final. Refuerza el mensaje de que no importa que esté sucediendo en el mundo, en la familia o colegio, la música no se irá a ningún lado. Muchas de las canciones no dejarán nuestra cabeza como, por ejemplo, ‘’Drive it like you stole it’’, ‘’The riddle of the model’’ y ‘’Up’’.
The director's next project is a story about a composer, he has also written the script and it's set in New York City, it's an interesting project that I'm sure you will also like, it's called Fascinating Rhythm, but shooting hasn't started, I think they are in pre-production and haven't selected the full cast.
I already checked it! Thanks for the recommendation, I'll keep an eye out for more of this director's work