Crescendo
"... every year I get to discover at least one film that lives in my heart. This year that film is CRESCENDO ... I love this film.
-- Steve Kopian, Unseen Films
Crescendo
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”).
When world-famous conductor Eduard Sporck accepts the task of creating an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, he is quickly drawn into a tempest of unsolvable problems. Having grown up in a state of war, suppression and the constant risk of terror attacks, the young musicians on both sides are far from able to form a team. Lined up behind the two best violinists – the emancipated Palestinian Layla and the Israeli Ron – they form two parties who deeply distrust each other, on and off-stage alike. Will Sporck succeed and make the young people forget their hatred, at least for the three weeks until the concert?
An impressive supporting cast of Israeli and Palestinian non-actors are featured. While eliminating discord and achieving harmony are undeniably noble undertakings, is music really powerful enough to pierce through years of caustic political discourse and the real-life suffering experienced by both sides of the conflict? It is the act of trying, itself, that lies at the center of CRESCENDO. This uplifting and affecting film about forgiveness and reconciliation will strike a chord with audiences, young and old alike.
When world-famous conductor Eduard Sporck accepts the task of creating an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, he is quickly drawn into a tempest of unsolvable problems. Having grown up in a state of war, suppression and the constant risk of terror attacks, the young musicians on both sides are far from able to form a team. Lined up behind the two best violinists – the emancipated Palestinian Layla and the Israeli Ron – they form two parties who deeply distrust each other, on and off-stage alike. Will Sporck succeed and make the young people forget their hatred, at least for the three weeks until the concert?
An impressive supporting cast of Israeli and Palestinian non-actors are featured. While eliminating discord and achieving harmony are undeniably noble undertakings, is music really powerful enough to pierce through years of caustic political discourse and the real-life suffering experienced by both sides of the conflict? It is the act of trying, itself, that lies at the center of CRESCENDO. This uplifting and affecting film about forgiveness and reconciliation will strike a chord with audiences, young and old alike.
Runtime
106
Language
English
Awards:
Winner, Audience Award, San Diego Jewish Film Festival
Played at
Laemmle Virtual Cinema 5.01.20 - 5.21.20
Crescendo Get Tickets
There are currently no showtimes for this film. Please check back soon.