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When world-famous conductor Eduard Sporck (Peter Simonischek, Toni Erdmann) accepts the job to create an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, he is quickly drawn into a tempest of sheer unsolvable problems. Having grown up in a state of war, suppression or constant risk of terrorist attacks, the young musicians from both sides are far from able to form a team. Lined up behind the two best violinists – the emancipated Palestinian Layla and the handsome Israeli Ron – they form two parties who deeply mistrust each other, on and off-stage. Will Sporck succeed and make the young people forget their hatred, at least for the three weeks until the concert? With the first glimmer of hope, however, the political opponents of the orchestra show how strong they are.
Loosely inspired by Daniel Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Academy Award-nominated director Dror Zahavi (“Alexander Penn”, “Everything for my Father”) directs this gripping drama as a constantly growing ‘crescendo,' rising the tension and conflicts until the last frame. Lead actor Peter Simonischek (“Toni Erdmann”) stars next to a highly convincing selection of up-and-coming actors like Daniel Donskoy (“Victoria”) and Sabrina Amali (“4 Blocks”). A remarkable theatrical movie and contribution to the world-wide efforts towards understanding, humanity and peace.
In English and German with English subtitles.
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Part of the "Cultural Journey to Israel Preview," Heartland Film's ongoing program to highlight the culture and cinema of a host country, programmed by International Programmer Hannah Fisher.
"'Crescendo' is inspired by the Emmy Award-winning documentary, 'Knowledge is the Beginning,' directed by Paul Smaczny (2005), detailing the efforts of Daniel Barenboim and the late Palestinian writer, Edward Said, in the creation of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, established solely to bring together young musicians from Israel and the Arab countries. In Crescendo, world-famous conductor Eduard Sporck (Peter Simonischek, Toni Erdmann) accepts the challenge to create an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, and finds himself quickly drawn into a tempest of unsolvable problems. Lined up behind the two best violinists – the emancipated Palestinian Layla and the handsome Israeli Ron – the musicians form two parties deeply mistrustful of each other. With the first glimmer of hope, however, the political opponents of the orchestra show them how strong they really are."
- Hannah Fisher
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Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Heartland Film.
Film Contact
Neil Friedman
neilf@menemshafilms.com
- Year2020
- Runtime106 minutes
- LanguageEnglish, German
- CountryGermany
- RatingMature Themes
- DirectorDror Zahavi
- ScreenwriterJohannes Rotter, Dror Zahavi
- ProducerAlice Brauner
- CastPeter Simonischek, Daniel Donoskoy, Mehdi Meskar, Bibiana Beglau, Sabrina Amali
LIVE VIRTUAL Q&A: October 15 at 12:00 pm EDT. CLICK HERE to register for FREE!
When world-famous conductor Eduard Sporck (Peter Simonischek, Toni Erdmann) accepts the job to create an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, he is quickly drawn into a tempest of sheer unsolvable problems. Having grown up in a state of war, suppression or constant risk of terrorist attacks, the young musicians from both sides are far from able to form a team. Lined up behind the two best violinists – the emancipated Palestinian Layla and the handsome Israeli Ron – they form two parties who deeply mistrust each other, on and off-stage. Will Sporck succeed and make the young people forget their hatred, at least for the three weeks until the concert? With the first glimmer of hope, however, the political opponents of the orchestra show how strong they are.
Loosely inspired by Daniel Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Academy Award-nominated director Dror Zahavi (“Alexander Penn”, “Everything for my Father”) directs this gripping drama as a constantly growing ‘crescendo,' rising the tension and conflicts until the last frame. Lead actor Peter Simonischek (“Toni Erdmann”) stars next to a highly convincing selection of up-and-coming actors like Daniel Donskoy (“Victoria”) and Sabrina Amali (“4 Blocks”). A remarkable theatrical movie and contribution to the world-wide efforts towards understanding, humanity and peace.
In English and German with English subtitles.
---
Part of the "Cultural Journey to Israel Preview," Heartland Film's ongoing program to highlight the culture and cinema of a host country, programmed by International Programmer Hannah Fisher.
"'Crescendo' is inspired by the Emmy Award-winning documentary, 'Knowledge is the Beginning,' directed by Paul Smaczny (2005), detailing the efforts of Daniel Barenboim and the late Palestinian writer, Edward Said, in the creation of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, established solely to bring together young musicians from Israel and the Arab countries. In Crescendo, world-famous conductor Eduard Sporck (Peter Simonischek, Toni Erdmann) accepts the challenge to create an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, and finds himself quickly drawn into a tempest of unsolvable problems. Lined up behind the two best violinists – the emancipated Palestinian Layla and the handsome Israeli Ron – the musicians form two parties deeply mistrustful of each other. With the first glimmer of hope, however, the political opponents of the orchestra show them how strong they really are."
- Hannah Fisher
---
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Heartland Film.
Film Contact
Neil Friedman
neilf@menemshafilms.com
- Year2020
- Runtime106 minutes
- LanguageEnglish, German
- CountryGermany
- RatingMature Themes
- DirectorDror Zahavi
- ScreenwriterJohannes Rotter, Dror Zahavi
- ProducerAlice Brauner
- CastPeter Simonischek, Daniel Donoskoy, Mehdi Meskar, Bibiana Beglau, Sabrina Amali
