They Came to Play

Enlightened amateurism is the theme of this documentary, which explores the hopes and desires of contestants in the Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. The film traces the event itself and the lives of the contestants. Despite their widely disparate backgrounds, the participants are united by their love of music and their chosen instrument, and are so impassioned, they're willing to face the nerve-shattering process of performance and judgement for recognition from their peers.