Shine

Inspired by the life of australian pianist David Helfgott, "Shine" is a soaring eulogy to the heat of musical inspiration and the crushing consequenses of genius. "Shine" spans Helfgott's childhood and subsequent career as a concert pianist before a severe nervous breakdown returns him to his homeland and a decade of confusion living in and out of mental institutions. Raised by his domineering father, a Polish Jew whose father forbade him to play his beloved violin, David soon shows extraordinary promise as a pianist. He wins a competition and is offered a scholarship to study in America, but his father can't bear the thought of losing his only son and forbids it. Eventually David defies his father's authority and leaves Australia.