A gripping, clear-eyed drama imbued with hope for understanding, humanity, and peace.
– Film at Lincoln Center
Crescendo
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February 26, as of 12:00 PM (Link available for 72 hours)
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Monday, March 1, 7:00 PM
A renowned conductor assembles an orchestra of Israeli and Palestinian youth, only to be drawn into a tempest of distrust and discord. For personal reasons, maestro Eduardo Sporck (veteran actor Peter Simonischek) agrees to arrange a symbolic concert for a Middle East peace summit in Italy. But corralling the young artists - sworn enemies from the Arab-Israeli divide - is easier said than done. As auditions begin in Tel Aviv, conflict between the factions flares up almost instantly. It takes all the conductor's skills to get his musicians in harmony, building to a tense, emotional finale.
An impressive cast of Israeli and Palestinian non-actors, lends authenticity to this powerful drama, loosely inspired by Daniel Barenboim's West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. (Note adapted from Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.)
Speaker: Crescendo screenwriter Stephen Glantz
Honorary Award, 2020 Cinema for Peace
Co-sponsored by Diane Troderman
Drama | 2019 | 106 minutes
Germany | English and German with Subtitles
Directed by Dror Zahavi