In Wellington, musicians challenge classical music’s colonial roots and elitist traditions, creating space for innovation, diversity, and self-expression. Blending live performances with candid interviews, this short redefines what it means to belong in the classical music world.
In a time when many established art forms are being reconsidered and reshaped, Pōneke Classical Sessions arrives as a refreshing and thoughtful short documentary. At its heart, the film explores the question: how can something as steeped in history and tradition as classical music remain relevant in today’s world?
Set in Wellington, the film captures a grassroots initiative aimed at rethinking what classical music can look, sound, and feel like. Rather than clinging to its old-world identity of tuxedos, concert halls, and carefully prescribed repertoire, this movement carves out a new path—one that is more relaxed, more modern, and far more inclusive.
The documentary frames this reimagining through the voices of young and diverse musicians who challenge the idea that classical music must be performed in a particular way, by particular people, in particular places. Instead, they offer up a more fluid interpretation—one that allows for play, improvisation, and meaningful connection. Whether held in pubs, community spaces, or other unconventional venues, the Pōneke Classical Sessions make classical music feel alive again.
One of the film’s most poignant themes is the idea of "failure"—not in the conventional sense, but in how the classical tradition sometimes labels musicians as failures for stepping outside its strict boundaries. By contrast, the musicians featured in this short reclaim failure as part of growth, creativity, and learning. The freedom to make mistakes, explore new sounds, or simply enjoy the act of playing becomes a radical act in a genre long bound by rules.
There is a quiet but firm challenge to the gatekeeping often found in classical music. The film points out that expectations around performance etiquette, dress codes, and “acceptable” venues have long excluded those who don’t fit a narrow mold. These unspoken rules, coupled with a legacy of colonialism and elitism, have made the genre feel inaccessible to many—especially to women, people of colour, and those from less traditional musical backgrounds.
Rather than dismantle classical music altogether, the Pōneke Classical Sessions aim to reframe it—to shift the focus from purity and perfection to relevance and relatability. In doing so, they also acknowledge that much of the classical canon was written in vastly different times, often carrying cultural baggage that today’s musicians no longer find meaningful. For this new generation, connection matters more than preservation, and expression trumps formality.
The film does well to highlight the emotional and communal aspects of these sessions. Audiences are not passive recipients but active participants, seated close to the performers and often involved in post-show discussions. There is room for improvisation, for spontaneous collaboration. This openness not only makes the performances more accessible—it also makes them more authentic.
What emerges is a documentary that is not only about music, but about the values and perspectives shaping a new generation. The story told here is just as much about cultural evolution as it is about performance. It reflects a world where more people are asking: who gets to belong, who gets to lead, and what stories are worth telling?
From an artistic standpoint, the short is well-paced and thoughtfully crafted. The film doesn’t overstate its message but lets the performances and conversations speak for themselves. It invites the viewer into this evolving space without judgement, making it easy to understand why this movement resonates so deeply with younger audiences.
While the film may not appeal equally to all viewers—some may find its progressive themes confronting—it stands as an important cultural document. It shows that change is not only possible, but already happening. The Pōneke Classical Sessions are just one example of how creative fields are responding to a wider societal call for inclusivity, authenticity, and connection.
For Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, this documentary will likely strike a chord. It offers a sense of belonging in a genre that has too often felt exclusionary. For others, it might raise questions about the future of classical music and who it is really for. But whatever your generation, the film’s message is clear: classical music doesn't need to remain frozen in time. It can—and should—adapt, evolve, and reflect the people who play and listen to it today.
Pōneke Classical Sessions is more than just a portrait of a music project; it’s a quiet manifesto. A call to reshape not just how we hear music, but how we value creativity, community, and cultural relevance in a modern Aotearoa.
Directed by Sebastian Kerebs | 18 mins | New Zealand | English | World Premiere – New Zealand Short Category
Screening at the Doc Edge documentary festival, in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and online from 25 June.