Sad Songs of Happiness

Story

Rita, Hiba and Tamar, Palestinian pupils at a German school in East Jerusalem have been having singing lessons for the past two years and their teacher has now entered them for the renowned competition “Jugend musiziert”. The girls now face an exciting few months: from their everyday world of conflict, their path now takes them first to the regional heats in Istanbul and then to Germany for the final. All three girls are good enough to reach the last stages. But will they manage to beat the competition? A moving portrait of the personality-building power of music – and the will never to give up.

Director

Since completing her studies, CONSTANZE KNOCHE (*1975) has worked as a freelance director for broadcasters including rbb and ZDF. In 2014, her film Sad Songs of Happiness was shown at FILMFEST HAMBURG.