There's something creepy at the heart of this purportedly inspirational, Academy Award-nominated documentary. In 1990, violinist Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras founded Fiddlefest, a nonprofit organization designed to bring classical music to students at three public schools
in New York City's East Harlem. Each year, 150 kids are chosen by lottery and embark upon a rigorous course of violin instruction under the iron baton of their abrasive maestro. "You are a puppet," Roberta reminds one young pupil as she teaches him how to draw the bow, "and I'm doing it." Her
draconian teaching methods consist mostly of threats and punishment, and rarely do the children seem to be en...
Released:
1996
Rated:
G
Length:
77 mins