Speaking in Strings
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| Speaking in Strings | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Paola di Florio |
| Produced by | Paola di Florio, Lilibet Foster |
| Starring | Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg |
| Music by | Karen Childs |
Production company | CounterPoint Films |
| Distributed by | Seventh Art Releasing |
Release date |
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Running time | 73 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $6,859 |
Speaking in Strings is a 1999 documentary film directed by Paola di Florio. The film is based on the life of Italian-born violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, and it received a nomination for Best Feature Documentary Film at the 72nd Academy Awards.[1]
The film is based on the life and career of Italian-born classical violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, and provides an insight into the style of the artist - who is noted by critics for pouring her own emotions into her musical performances. The film started from Salerno-Sonnenberg's birth in Rome, and followed her story as she moved to United States at age 8 and was brought up by her mother in New Jersey. She grew up with her brother who is also a musician. The film concentrates on the violinist's difficult childhood as she had to experience scorn and laughter by her friends when she played a recording of Brahms in front of the class. This is among the incidents that caused the artist to develop her overly emotional performing style and personality as she became a professional violinist and rose to stardom. In the documentary, Salerno-Sonnenberg talks about periods of depression in her life and her suicide attempt; she also discusses her views on how music is connected to human emotions.
Production and release
The documentary was directed by Paola di Florio, a childhood friend of Salerno-Sonnenberg.[2] Salerno-Sonnenberg appeared as herself in the film.[3] Speaking in Strings was co-produced by two companies, Asphalt Films and CounterPoint Films.[3]
Speaking in strings premiered at Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in 1999.[4] This same year, the documentary appeared in several film festivals, including Florida Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, Newport International Film Festival, and Seattle International Film Festival.[5] The film was released theatrically on October 29, 1999.[6] A DVD version was released on June 26, 2001.[6]