Kelvin Harrison Jr. on Portraying the Prolific Joseph Bologne

Kelvin Harrison Jr. sat down with us to talk about taking on the leading role in his most recent film project, Chevalier. In the film he plays the real life character of Joseph Bologne who was one of France’s most prolific composers whose been lost in history until more recently. He spoke about having to learn the violin and how his Dad, who is a music professor, helped him to train for the role. He wanted to create a lot of movement and freedom to the musical performances given Bologne’s relationship with the instrument. Music always plays a pivotal part in shaping a character for Harrison Jr. but even more so for this particular project. The film— which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September— is now available by Fox Searchlight.

Watch the full conversation below.

Q&A on the film Chevalier with actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.

The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Joseph Bologne rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with a love affair and falling out with Marie Antoinette.