Harmonia

Harmonia is a powerful and emotionally charged drama inspired by the biblical story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, directed by Israeli filmmaker Ori Sivan. Released in 2016, this Israeli drama grapples with themes of faith, family, blood relations, and the inner harmony that floats above the undulating waves of human life and relationships.

The narrative unfolds in a contemporaneous setting, a world-class philharmonic orchestra in contemporary Jerusalem. Alon Aboutboul gives a brilliant performance as Abraham, the conductor of the orchestra. A well-respected and demanding taskmaster, he reveals a softer side in his relationship with his wife Sarah (Tali Sharon), the orchestra's harpist. The pair shares a deep understanding and a profound musical connection, but struggle with the anguish of childlessness in their otherwise idyllic life.

Sarah feels trapped in her silence and isolation, beautifully depicted through moving shots of her solitary existence in the grandeur of the concert hall, separated from the hustle and bustle of the lively orchestra. In her despair, she finds solace in her music, often losing herself in the enchanting strains of her harp, but the emptiness within her reverberates louder than the music she creates.

This gloomy solitude is disrupted by the arrival of Hagar (Yana Yossef), a young, seductive and spirited horn player from East Jerusalem. Her raw talent and zealous passion for music earn Abraham’s admiration, creating ripples in the stagnant water of Sarah and Abraham's life. Hagar, lively and unashamedly candid, breathes life into Sarah's monotonous existence, sparking a friendship between the two women that serves as a source of healing, self-discovery, and unspoken tensions.

The characters are robbed of the divine presence that hovers around their Biblical counterparts, instead, left to navigate their lives solely on the foundation of their own emotions and decisions. This deftly creates a complex web of intense relationships, passions, and secrets that impact all three individuals involved and alters their lives drastically.

The cinematography of Harmonia is particularly notable, offering visually stunning scenes and amplifying the emotional depth of the narrative. The highs and lows of the personalized script are magnified through the camera lens, capturing the vulnerability and raw intensity of the characters' feelings. The excellence of the film's set design is displayed through meticulous attention to detail that embellishes each scene, from the grandeur of the concert hall to the intimate settings of home, setting up an immersive narrative journey for the audience.

Over the course of the narrative, music plays a crucial role as it seeps into every frame of this beautifully woven story, embodying emotions and thoughts that the script only subtly hints at. The original score weaves in seamlessly with the narrative, functioning not just as a backdrop but more as an essential element driving the storyline.

The lead performances in Harmonia are commendable, with each actor bringing forward the inner turmoil and emotional journey of their characters with an intense and credible passion. Alon Aboutboul as Abraham captures the complexities of a man torn between his responsibilities, passions, and dilemmas. Tali Sharon, as Sarah, beautifully articulates a woman's silent suffering and her longing for both affection and motherhood. Efim Rinenberg, vital to the narrative trajectory, delivers an equally impeccable performance.

Despite the grandeur of the setting and the complexity of a plot inspired by a biblical narrative, the core theme of the film resonates with its audience on a very personal level. It explores the meaning of ‘family’, delving into the depth of how blood ties and emotional connections intertwine and conflict, creating a connection that goes beyond mere biological relations.

Harmonia takes an intriguing look at human feelings of love, longing, and passion, tightly locked with the underlying bonds of blood and kinship. It is a captivating exploration of human relationships and the eternal quest for harmony in life, wrapped up in a beautifully composed and exceptionally executed film. This is a must-watch for fans of intimate dramas, complex character development, and stunning cinematography spun around compelling narratives.