Crescendo (II) (2019) User Reviews

Touch of hope

[apkmedia · 8/10 · 22 November 2019]

They say hope is naive. And about Israeli Palestine conflict Benny Morris used to say: "Those to whom evil is done do evil in return". This is a movie about an attempt to stop it by assembling together a youth Israeli Palestinian orchestra. With a conductor who happens to have dark past related to Second World War and who can teach them more than you can imagine. Teach much more than only music - teach to see the soul. 8 goes for a little bit overdone moment of car crash. Otherwise - strong 10 and a moving piece that stays with you long days after you've watched it.

Heartbreaking depiction of political conflicts

[roger-99-171599 · 7/10 · 10 January 2020]

Accomplished filmmaker Dror Zahavi's timely drama depicts the turmoils and conflicts between Israelis and Palestianians seen through Millennials' perspectives and traumas. A respected and tough Maestro is hired to conceive a Chamber Orchestra for peace in the region; Gathering the best musicians from both sides of the war conflict, he is ready for what's coming: as they rehearse their piece, they will also experience a transformational and moving collective process, providing them an examination of themselves and their political senses. In one of several heartbreaking scenes, the Maestro allows them to expose all of their anguish and hate on the face of the others, provoking a self-analysis. Centered on the relationships developed along the production, the film constantly remind us of the importance of tolerance, while trying to adjust their reasons: an impossible romance between an Israeli girl and an Arab, the ego and dispute between the two violin leaders, the figure of "salvation" represented by the Maestro, and the strength of parental guidance. Profound, raw, and sensitive, it's a powerful humanitarian statement, claiming for better days in this broken world.

The future is in young hands

[wurideflame · 8/10 · 21 April 2021]

If the younger generation does not learn to live together in peace, then the future is bound to be bleak and hopeless. An orchestra demands collaboration, so how is it not another form of orchestra between nations, or even human society?

Hate can be reworked with music

[veenusav · 7/10 · 11 December 2023]

This powerful political drama resonates with a profound humanitarian spirit, delving into the intricate complexities of love in the face of conflict. It bravely poses the thought-provoking question: "How can we find love amidst those who pose harm? How do we reconcile with those who have seized our land?" Through a series of poignant and captivating scenes, the film intricately weaves the narrative of the Palestine conflict. It artfully juxtaposes historical propaganda, drawing compelling parallels between the tragic history of Nazi-Jewish tension during WWII and the contemporary strife between Arabs and Jews.

The movie poignantly emphasizes that true change begins when hate is set aside. It boldly asserts that transformation doesn't need to wait for the next generation; it can commence right now. Throughout, the characters deliver impactful dialogues, deeply entrenched in authentic emotion, reminiscent of the emotional depth found in the film "Omar" and even surpassing it at moments. The film beautifully captures the essence of humanity amidst conflict, delivering a compelling and emotionally charged storyline.

Set against the backdrop of Palestine, the film adeptly showcases the emotional turmoil, grappling with the human struggle amidst political turmoil. Its portrayal of characters navigating the complexities of love, loss, and ideological divides leaves a lasting impact, resonating with audiences long after the credits roll. The attention to detail, from the authentic portrayal of settings to the nuanced dialogue delivery, makes for a visually rich and emotionally gripping experience. Overall, a thought-provoking film that challenges perceptions and leaves viewers contemplating the intricacies of love, hatred, and reconciliation in the midst of conflict.

Watched this in international Film festival of Kerala iffk 2023.

Israeli and Palestinian youth musicians form a briefly harmonious orchestra

[maurice_yacowar · 9/10 · 24 August 2019]

Israeli director Dror Zahavi's new film uses a Romeo and Juliet plot to urge an escape from the Palestinian-Israeli deadlock. It's a West Bank West Side Story but with classical (Western) music. A German conductor is imported to try to pull Israeli and Palestinian youth musicians together for a concert. This notion has a real historic precedent - an initiative by Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said - but the film strikes out on its own by deploying the fatal romantic myth. If the historic project didn't break through the detente perhaps a classic tragic climax might,. Both sides are depicted in their familiar intensities, sensitivities and aggressive insecurities. In the first crescendo, security issues set the musicians at war. So the group is whisked off to Switzerland. Ostensibly neutral during WW II, Switzerland here provides an idyllic escape, away from the contentious landscape, and the opportunity to develop a harmony out of the two warring cultures. But this war has no borders. A vehicular attack against the biking orchestra members reminds us that this ideological battle is waged beyond the borders in dispute, indeed across the globe. Both sides have international supporters. Even if the apparent attack was indeed just idle joyriders, the security force's fears are nonetheless appropriate. The youth are counselled to be less forthcoming in their social media. The conductor's strategy to unify his antagonistic players is interesting. His method is not to suppress or to ignore it but to let it all out. Then he has the enemies meet and mingle. This is to connect beyond their antagonism, not to remain stuck in it. As they make beautiful music together - by subordinating their egos to the art - the project threatens to be a success. Then an Israeli girl leads a Palestinian boy into a love affair. She has been outside the political debate and is naturally drawn to the shy, brilliant boy. His talent earns the conductor's offer of a scholarship to study in Berlin, but his family needs him in their wedding band swill he go? The choice is denied him. The star-crossed lovers' brief affair is exposed when the girl's belligerent girlfriend - who showed her privileged rage when she refused to accept that she failed her audition - vengefully publishes the photo of the couple in bed. That disastrous aubade leads to the girl's family pulling her home, the orchestra's dispersal before the concert, the lovers' flight and the boy being fatally hit by a car. Amid the musical harmony and the political fever, that accidental death confirms the absurdity of the continuing war. The film salvages an upbeat conclusion. In their separate rooms at the airport, homebound, the Israelis' problematic leader Ron starts a number and the others gradually join in. They give music the last word over their colleague's death and the orchestra's official failure. In Romeo and Juliet there is an effective authority. The Duke views the carnage and demands the families' feud end. There is no such authority in the Middle East.This film calls upon the rising generation to transcend the old animosity and work and play together, for a new harmony. That's the example set by the conductor, who transcended his Nazi parents' past. This is clearly a film from the Israeli Left. A director on the Right would have pivoted the plot on the death of Israeli innocents and required the step towards conciliation to come from the Palestinians. (After all, they're the side refusing peaceful coexistence, in real life). Here the onus is put on the Israelis and the victim is the Palestinian boy. The conclusion focuses on two Israeli egotists. The girl who rages against her rejection by the conductor later betrays her friend by exposing the affair. She's made the villain. In contrast, rebel Ron suppresses his selfishness and leads the group towards peace. The last musical number is appropriately Ravel's Bolero. It begins with Ron's sinister tapping, as of a militant drum, threatening war. But it proceeds gradually and inexorably until it swells into a fully orchestrated harmony. The orchestra has been dispersed but the Israeli boy who had led the rebellion now leads the musicians to honour the lost Palestinian lad. If only....

Eternal conflict

[jinilana · 10/10 · 25 May 2021]

Awesome film especially ingenious film ending Unfortunately this is an eternal conflict.