JIFF 2018: Itzhak

The Story

“Highly intelligent and warm portrait of the most haimische virtuoso who ever lived.” — Film Journal International

From Schubert to Strauss and Bach to Brahms, Itzhak Perlman’s violin playing transcends mere performance to evoke the celebrations and struggles of life that Perlman himself knew all too well. Born in 1945 in Tel Aviv, Perlman contracted polio at age four and has spent his entire life with mobility issues, to this day still playing the violin only while seated. Despite these early defeats, Perlman persevered and taught himself to play the violin, eventually earning admission to a conservatory where he gave his first solo recital at age ten. Perlman is a virtuoso performer who has played with almost every major orchestra and in the most venerable concert halls around the globe, won countless awards and performed for some of the biggest dignitaries of our time. As charming and entrancing as the famous violinist, Itzhak is a portrait of musical genius flawlessly encapsulated in warmth, humour, and above all, love.

Rating

CTC

Duration

Cast

Itzhak Perlman

Director

Alison Chernick