Armory Friday, April 13, 2018 - 09:30 AM

Itzhak

Documentary Feature

80 minutes

2017

Director(s): Alison Chernick

Israel, USA

Synopsis

From Shubert to Strauss, Bach to...Billy Joel, Itzhak Perlman’s violin playing transcends mere performance to evoke the celebrations and struggles of life, as if he were praying with the violin. This enchanting documentary looks beyond the sublime musician to see the polio survivor whose parents emigrated from Poland to Israel and the young man who struggled to be taken seriously as a music student when schools saw only his disability. Itzhak himself is funny, irreverent, and self-deprecating. His life story unspools in conversations with masterful musicians, family and friends, and most endearingly, his devoted wife of 50 years, Toby. As charming and entrancing as the famous violinist himself, Itzhak is a portrait of musical virtuosity seamlessly enclosed in warmth, humor, and above all, love. Subtitles

Sponsored by AIFF Board Emeritus Members

Director’s Statement

Itzhak Perlman personifies the resilience, vision, and contribution of the Jewish people. Through Perlman, we hear stories of obstacles and survival while witnessing humor, talent, discipline, and drive. The film follows the evolution of a musician while exploring Jewish history and culture. Itzhak talks about how, from a very early age, he had this sound in his head that he was able to develop. He is able to create that sound because of how much humanity, passion, and love he has in his heart, which he infuses into his music. All of that beauty comes from within.