Nitza Spiro Hebrew Studies

Registered Charity No 1070926

Film screening and discussion: Harmonia

Harmonia (2016) directed by ORI SIVAN

Synopsis: Harmonia is a modern adaptation of the mythological triangle between the childless Abraham and Sarah and young Hagar.

Sarah is the harpist of the Jerusalem Philharmonic; Abraham is its almighty conductor. When Hagar, a young horn player from East Jerusalem joins the Western Side Orchestra, she bonds with Sarah and a unique friendship evolves between the two women.

Hagar, feeling Sarah’s pain from not having children, offers to have a baby for her from Abraham, shaking the thin balance in the family. The biblical adaptation later develops to an emotional clash between the born son Ben a 12 year old phenomenal pianist and his two mothers.

Harmonia uncovers the metaphoric emotional roots of the ancient conflict between the two peoples living in Jerusalem, now seeking harmony through a dramatic encounter between Western and Eastern music.

The film is in Hebrew, with English sub-titles. 

Awards: Winner of the Audience Award, Shalom Europa, Alsace, 2017; 

Winner of the University of Nicosia Student Jury Award, Cyprus Film Days, 2017; 

Winner of The Van Leer Award for Best Cinematography, Jerusalem International Film Festival, 2016; 

Winner of The Lia Van Leer Award for Films about Jewish Heritage, Jerusalem International Film Festival, 2016.