From Canada to Europe’s great opera houses, soprano Barbara Hannigan builds a fearless career defined by risk, precision and emotional intensity.

Barbara Hannigan conducts the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France performing works by György Ligeti and Igor Stravinski.

Barbara Hannigan is a renowned soprano and exceptionally talented artist and musician from Canada, who recently has begun an international career as conductor. Making its North American premiere, Taking Risks shows Hannigan preparing to conduct her first opera, Stravinsky’s masterpiece The Rake’s Progress. From auditions to opening night, we follow the journey of a dedicated, passionate, and perceptive woman, taking a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process, with many moments of excitement and magic.

Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan conducts and sings with the French Radio Orchestra in a sensual programme celebrating the city of lights: gay Paris. Mezzo-soprano Julia Dawson, tenor Ziad Nehme and bass-baritone Douglas Williams also perform. Programme: Igor Stravinsky – Pulcinella Kurt Weill – Youkali Jacques Offenbach - La Gaîté parisienne

A music engineer helps a young music aficionado compose a beat for a once-in-lifetime competition in a mall where nothing ever happens.

The film follows Canadian singer, conductor and actress Barbara Hannigan backstage in an attempt to reveal the secret behind this wild, fearless and remarkably versatile woman.

Elementary school teacher Pobmek doesn't like kids, but his boyfriend Teacher Solar does, and he likes Solar more than enough to make up for it. When he suffers an accident, however, Solar is left with brain damage, reverting mentally at times to the age of seven. After he takes Nong Solar back home, there are days when Pobmek doesn't get any respite from children.

The conflicts of a married couple traveling with their children on vacation. The growing discomfort of the couple and the boys in the closed space and in the movement of a car, has an unexpected additional element at the end that will enhance the climate of fury.

Barbara is a young girl who makes the painful discovery that she is just like everyone else. Her one dominant desire is to “be somebody”, but she really doesn’t know how this can be done. She tries to be “a leader”, but becomes dissatisfied with that and then tries to separate herself from the crowd – but soon "the crowd" attempts to be more like her. Sage advice from her uncle – that she is already “somebody” – satisfies Barbara to be herself.