Synopsis

Daniel Barenboim, the world-renowned Israeli-Argentinian conductor and pianist, and Edward Said, a Palestinian-American literary scholar, founded a foundation with the goal of promoting national reconciliation and peace through music. As a result, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra was created in 1999, bringing together young Israeli and Arab musicians. The orchestra was named after a poetry collection by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which was inspired by the works of Persian poet Hafiz. Barenboim and Said led cultural lectures exploring the differences between the two cultures, as well as music camps for the orchestra, in an effort to bridge the gap of ignorance and hatred. Although Said passed away from leukemia in 2003, Barenboim has continued to carry out their shared vision through the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. Over six years starting in 1999, director Paul Smaczny followed Barenboim, Said, and the orchestra, seeking the first steps toward peace in the Middle East. The concert held in Ramallah in 2005, within the Palestinian Authority territory and surrounded by armed soldiers, is one of the most poignant moments—capturing the triumph of art over politics.

Director

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  • Paul Smaczny
  • Paul Smaczny is a producer, screenwriter, and director who studied law, French literature, German literature, and theater/film in Germany and France. Over the past 15 years, he has produced and directed more than 150 films and television programs, capturing musically significant moments on camera. His work has featured world-renowned orchestras and opera houses including the Berlin Philharmonic, Lucerne Festival, Berlin State Opera, and La Scala in Milan.