The Song of Names is a 2019 drama film directed by François Girard. The film follows the story of a man named Martin who is searching for his childhood best friend, a Polish violin prodigy named Dovidl Rapoport. Dovidl was orphaned during the Holocaust and was taken in by Martin's family in London. Dovidl was a musical prodigy and was set to perform in his first public concert, but he disappeared on the night of the performance, leaving Martin and his family devastated.
Years later, as an adult, Martin becomes obsessed with finding Dovidl and discovering why he disappeared. The film follows Martin's search for his lost friend, as he journeys to Poland, Israel, and New York. Along the way, Martin uncovers surprising revelations about Dovidl's past and his own family's history.
The film features a talented cast, including Tim Roth as adult Martin, Clive Owen as Dovidl's music teacher, and Jonah Hauer-King as young Martin. The music for the film was composed by Howard Shore, who has won multiple Academy Awards for his work on films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The Song of Names is a poignant and moving story about friendship, loss, and the power of music to heal the wounds of the past. The film received critical acclaim and was awarded the Best Canadian Film award at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.