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Thursday, January 19 at 7:30pm Miami Beach JCC
Streaming January 20-25, 2023 Digital Screening Room

USA | 64 minutes | 2023

You Will Not Play Wagner

World Premiere

Richard Wagner’s music had been informally banned in Israel on the grounds that the German composer was promoted during the Nazi era as Hitler’s favorite composer. But could Wagner’s music transcend the anti-semitic views of its creator? When Ya’akov, an Israeli conductor, announces he will play Wagner in the finals of a prestigious international competition for conductors, he comes into conflict with Esther, a Holocaust survivor, who resolutely stands against the idea, but is now faced with an unexpected moral dilemma: whether the trauma of the past justifies stifling the future of young talent. Buried memories and nightmarish dreams are uncovered as Ya'akov and Esther, aided by Morris, the competition organizer, viscerally argue their opposing points of view from Tel-Aviv, the Berkshires, and Brooklyn. Across the world and across historical, ethical, and personal domains, will they be able to hear each other? Starring Annette Miller, Ofek Cohen, and Miami’s own Avi Hoffman, this filmed play was adapted by South African playwright Victor Gordon just before he passed away from COVID-19.

The special premiere event will feature director Lilia Levitina and actors Avi Hoffman & Annette Miller in attendance to introduce the film and participate in a Q&A afterward.

Director's Bio

Directed by Lilia Levitina

Director Photo
Lilia Levitina is a director, actress, producer, and writer who immigrated to America from the former Soviet Union in 1988. While working as a teacher by day, she founded a theater company -- Basement on the Hill Stage – by night. What started in the basement of her house burst onto the theater scene with many acclaimed productions. You Will Not Play Wagner is Lilia’s documentary feature film debut.

Cast and Credits

Director

Lilia Levitina

Screenwriter

Victor Gordon

Cinematographer

Rick Macomber

Editor

Christo Tsiaras

Cast

Avi Hoffman, Annette Miller, Ofek Cohen

Film Info

Year

2023

Country

USA

Run-time

64 minutes

Language

English
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