Harp Dreams

Actress Blythe Danner (Lovin' Molly) narrates this intimate documentary look at the struggles and challenges that belie young harpists' quests for recognition as world-class musicians. The film hones in on 31 of the most acclaimed harpists in the world, who in 2007 gathered for 15 days at the Indiana University Jacobs School of music, to vie with one another in the USA International Harp Competition, an event held every three years. The rewards associated with winning the competition are staggering: a cash prize of several thousand dollars; a handcrafted Lyon-and-Healy concert harp; an elite recording contract; and concert premieres in London and New York. Suzanne Schwabs directs, initially shuttling her focus back and forth between intimate events from the lives of the competitors, such as a birthday party in Moscow and a Parisian private lesson. The remainder of the film then observes the competition itself, and the events leading up to announcement of the winners.