An outstanding documentary. Riveting from beginning to end.
Kim Hughes, Zoomer Magazine
The diary, narrated by Stephen Fry, unfolds brilliantly.
Rachel Ho, POV Magazine
Moves the soul at the deepest level.
Steve Norton, Screen Fish
The Toronto Jewish Film Festival: After 75 Years, A Rhapsody Reborn
Original Cin
Career critics continuing the conversation in a post-print world
Review by Liam Lacey
June 7, 2022
At the heart of this year’s 30th Toronto Jewish Film Festival is a film called The Rhapsody, a hometown documentary with a global resonance.
The subject is Leo Spellman, a Polish-born composer, Holocaust survivor and Toronto dance orchestra leader, a lively character whose life was a testament to the power of creativity.
How the power of music helped a Holocaust survivor reclaim his life
Toronto Sun
Article by Gilbert Taylor
June 13, 2022
With lightning speed, on Sept. 8, 1939, eight days after the brutal invasion of Poland, Nazi jack boots rattled through the streets of Ostrowiec in the southeastern part of the country, thrusting terror into the core of every household.
The Rhapsody Review: Scoring a Story of Survival
Point of View Magazine
Review by Rachel Ho
June 15, 2022
As we get further away from the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps in Europe and the danger of misinformation and history deniers grows, it’s more important than ever to record the stories and voices of those who survived. So when a musical composition entitled ‘Rhapsody 1939-1945’ was discovered alongside a wartime diary, both by Leo Spellman, a Polish Canadian Holocaust survivor, it became of utmost importance to share both with the world.
Toronto Jewish Film Festival Review: The Rhapsody
Joy of Movies
Review by John Corrado
June 15, 2022
Filmmaker David Hoffert’s years-in-the-making documentary The Rhapsody recounts the life story of Leo Spellman (born Leon Szpilman), a Polish-Canadian Holocaust survivor and composer who finally gained recognition in his late-nineties with the recording of Rhapsody: 1939-1945, a soaring piece of music that he wrote in a German displaced persons camp in 1947.
The Rhapsody: Leo Spellman’s Incredible Second World War Survival and Musical Legacy Explored in New Documentary
Everything Zoomer
Article by Kim Hughes
June 15, 2022
A compelling chronicle of humanity’s towering capacity for good and evil, The Rhapsody — writer-director David Hoffert’s years-in-the-making documentary, which receives its world première June 15 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema as part of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival — is almost otherworldly in its twists and coincidences. Evidently, the universe wanted this movie to be made, if only to underline the axiom that truth really is stranger than fiction.
The Rhapsody: The Soul of Music
Screenfish
Review by Steve Norton
June 16, 2022
There’s a lot of things that are special about Leo Spellman.
As a Holocaust survivor, Leon Spellman made his career as one of Toronto’s Premier band leaders. Living a life marked by joy, the music that he created was memorable for many and gave people an opportunity to come together and celebrate in the post-war era.
'The Rhapsody' tells the story of Holocaust survivor Leo Spellman
Global News Weekend
Interview by Mike Arsenault
June 25, 2022
The documentary film "The Rhapsody" premiered at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival earlier this month. It tells the story of Holocaust survivor Leo Spellman in a very unique way. Global News Weekend’s Mike Arsenault has more with the director of the film.
The Rhapsody, by David Hoffert and Leo Spellman
Hollywood North Magazine
Interview by Darren Weisner
June 30, 2022
I had the outstanding privilege of speaking to the brilliant mastermind behind The Rhapsody. The interview was inspiring, it was mesmerizing, heartbreaking and it was humbling. David has many gifts and filmmaking, music, writing, directing, editing, animation and producing are just a few that he utilized on the film and was able to talk about. Roll the tape!
In the Seats With...David Hoffert
Interview by David Voigt
Episode 379
To put it simply, the power of music can save lives...
On this episode we're taking a trip over to the Toronto Jewish Film Festival which is on now in our fair city until June 26th either online or at various venues across the GTA.
Having it's world premiere this June 15th at the Hot Docs Cinema it's the fantastic story of 'The Rhapsody'.
A Podcast Interview with Paul Hoffert
The Ted Woloshyn Show
Episode 40
This week's episode features Paul Hoffert; founder of the legendary Canadian rock band Lighthouse, and Producer of the riveting documentary The Rhapsody 1939-1945., the story of Leo Spellman, a Polish Holocaust survivor who sets out on an amazing journey towards artistic liberation.