102 Minutes. Spanish, English & Hebrew Subtitles.

Saturday 31.10, 21:30 Cinematheque 1


In the heart of one of the most dangerous and poorest areas in Caracas, Venezuela, about 300 children learn and play classical music on a daily basis. They are part of ‘El Sistema’ - a network of children’s and youth orchestras, music centres and workshops in Venezuela, in which more than 250,000 children and young people are currently learning to play an instrument.

‘El Sistema’ was set up over thirty years ago by José Antonio Abreu, to lift children out of poverty through music. The same unique teaching methods are used in all of them. According to his approach, musical perfection is not the first priority; what is important is being able to play together with others.

Children from streets dominated by gang warfare and gun battles are taken into music schools, given access to music, and taught through the model of the symphony orchestra how to build a better society. The film follows three of these children and explores the central question: what can the system accomplish by connecting young people with classical music, and to what extent can it change their lives.

Smaczny's earlier film, "knowledge is the beginning", about the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, won many prizes, among them the Emmy award.

the film's website