On a String

In her feature film debut, Isabel Hagen paints a humorous portrait of the life of her Gen Z alter ego ‘Isabel’. She has just completed her training as a violinist at the renowned Juilliard School. She tries to make ends meet with odd jobs playing at weddings and parties, but it’s no easy feat in a city where the competition is ruthless.
To keep costs down, Isabel still lives at home, surrounded by her slightly neurotic family. Isabel is also plagued by the knowledge that her brother Owen is a more talented musician than she is.

Isabel’s life takes a new turn when her toxic ex, Dave – a cellist with the New York Philharmonic who’s been promoted as the latest rising star – tells her he can arrange an audition for her. Isabel doesn’t think twice: what on earth could possibly go wrong?
The feature film debut of Isabel Hagen (1998) – herself a former Juilliard student and stand-up comedian, bearing a striking resemblance to Greta Gerwig – was hailed at various festivals (Tribeca, Cleveland, Tallinn) as a successful portrait of how a New Yorker in her twenties struggles with ambition, love, family and a host of other difficulties.

Hagen’s understated acting and directing style makes the witty, humorous dialogue and absurd plot twists stand out all the more, which is why the film was hailed as a ‘classic American indie’.

Directed by Isabel Hagen
Starring Isabel Hagen, Ling Ling Huang, Dylan Baker
Country of production: United States
In English with Dutch subtitles
Comedy, drama, 78 minutes, 2025
12+