Film Lens
Speaking in Strings is a documentary film directed by Paola di Florio, focusing on the life of Italian-born violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. The film begins with her birth in Rome and follows her move to the United States at age 8, where she was raised by her mother in New Jersey alongside her musician brother. It shows her difficult childhood experiences, including ridicule from peers when she played Brahms in class, which contributed to her emotional performance style as a professional violinist.
The documentary features Salerno-Sonnenberg discussing her struggles with depression and a suicide attempt, as well as her perspective on the connection between music and human emotions. The film received a nomination for Best Feature Documentary at the 72nd Academy Awards and was recognized at various film festivals, including the Newport International Film Festival, where it won a Jury Award.
Why Watch
- •Meet Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, a unique violinist.
- •Find out about her emotional connection to music.
- •See her struggles with depression and personal challenges.
Did You Know
•Speaking in Strings premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1999.
•The film earned $1,519 in its opening weekend in one theater.
•Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg was raised in New Jersey after moving from Rome at age 8.
•The documentary received a score of 56 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 10 reviews.
Perfect For
Classical music fansDocumentary enthusiastsPeople interested in mental health