The Last Repair Shop | 2024 Oscar-winning Documentary Short
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- Опубліковано 7 лис 2023
- L.A. Times Short Docs & Searchlight Pictures
In a nondescript warehouse in the heart of Los Angeles, a dwindling handful of devoted craftspeople maintain over 80,000 student musical instruments, the largest remaining workshop in America of its kind. Meet four unforgettable characters whose broken-and-repaired lives have been dedicated to bringing so much more than music to the schoolchildren of the recording capital of the world. Watch "The Last Repair Shop," directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers.
Winner of the the documentary short category at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Short Docs celebrates filmmaking with a West Coast perspective. We seek bold voices who break with convention and present undiscovered stories that challenge, move and inspire audiences. Watch more Short Docs at: www.latimes.com/shortdocs.
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Hey! Kris Bowers here, co-director and co-composer for this film. Please feel free to reply with any questions you have about the filmmaking and/or the music, and I'll do my best to answer them! Thanks for watching.
Will "the alumni" be streaming anywhere?
@@beachbumkg Yes! We are working on releasing the soundtrack soon!! Stay tuned.
Thank you for creating such a beautiful emotional documentary 🙏🏼 My family has a similar story that I always wanted to make a documentary about.. we were the pioneer of the 1st music store in Iran back established in 1945 after WWII called the Skenderian Music Center...we started the musical culture and community in Iran and had one of the world's richest musical archives. We were the safe haven for a lot of musicians because after the revolution music was Haram(against the Islamic religion that took over) and we had been there under the radar for 75 years to preserve the music culture and provide people music methods and music in addition to instruments. Not a lot of people understand what that means but it's definitely worth a documentary. I would love to meet Steve and possibly work with him. 🙏🏼
Wow did this make me cry ... thanks!
@@BP-ww9fp Thanks so much!
They aren't repairing instruments - they are repairing kids, repairing families, repairing communities. And, last but not least, they are repairing themselves. What a beautiful film.
Looks like an Oscar winner to me!
So true
All of us should look around for someone to help 👍
Thank you so much!!
Oh please
I funded this important program for 10 years. When district personnel and leadership wanted to eliminate it, I stood firm in ensuring that these remarkable "geppettos" could do their excellent work.
Thank you for standing up! I wondered how this amazing program survived, especially in the behemoth of the LAUSD.
Thank you.
The documentary opened with a powerful scene: a young African American girl's pure joy and innocence radiating as she spoke about her violin, juxtaposed with the sadness in her eyes when mentioning her home struggles. This captivating introduction set the stage for a film that explored the lives of both the people who meticulously repair instruments and the LAUSD children whose lives are enriched by them. These dedicated craftspeople don't just fix instruments; they become vessels of the “universe's sound” - the gift of music to kids who, like the violinist, have found solace and purpose through their fight to survive and thrive through music. The documentary resonated deeply with me. As a former SFUSD student who was also loaned a violin, I too could relate to the challenges of prioritizing music within a culture that often emphasizes academics. Now, at 38, this film has reignited my passion for music, inspiring me to challenge my limiting belief of not being musical and pursue the joy of learning to drum and dance. My deepest gratitude for LA Times and Searchlight Productions for shining the light on these incredible everyday people who provide meaning in the world.
Go for it and have fun.
What a beautiful film. This should be required viewing by school boards and anyone who understands (or doesn't understand) the value of our public schools.
And the tragedy of so many schools cutting music classes for budget concerns. Never cut music classes. So vital.
Yes -- we aren't here on earth simply to "survive." I'm grateful for every teacher who brought "superficial" projects to our classrooms. Girls AND boys Embroidered in my 4th grade class -- choosing coloured threads, loving color combinations. Getting to school at 8am in 7th and 8the grades -- to sing in the Chorus -- who paid that teacher to do that? Creating Large papier mache creatures in the 6th grade -- all the while doing the usual English, Geography, Math. Oh lordy lordy -- art and music aren't "extras" in life. Please don't limit children to the three Rs.
Amen!!! I thought the same ...
And the shame of dropping music classes as first thing when budget crunches loom.
I was thinking the same thing! A valuable lesson.
Deserves an Academy Award for best Documentary
And it won!! ❤
This aged well 😉
Yes it won🎉
And it got it 🎉
I am a product of LAUSD. I used a school trombone starting in the third grade. I graduated from UCSB with a music performance degree in trombone. I went to Robert Fulton Jr. High and Van Nuys High School. I had exceptional teachers, especially Sid Lasaine at VNHS. Thanks to my LAUSD music teachers and those that repaired my instrument! ♥
Gotta say, probably the most worthwhile short film I've ever seen (in 86 years)!
This armenian woman from the same city as Steve thanks you for highlighting our history. Bawled my eyes out. Definitely an Oscar- worthy film.
You are most welcome! Its our duty to take it as far as we can!🙏
This part particularly touched me too, and I can’t stop crying either! I am an American Armenian, and I wasn’t aware of this persecution and time in recent history. Shame on me. Armenian persecution is truly swept under the rug and is not on the forefront of any mainstream political discussions or taught in any schools. I was not expecting to learn about this when starting to watch this documentary.
Thank you so much to the producers of this film for highlighting this beautiful man’s story and shedding a little light on Armenian struggles.
And now it's happening again as Turkey reenacts history. Horrific.
and you did it!!! 🏆🎉 🇦🇲
Steve's story was particularly compelling . It's much the same story as my own family's story.
I am watching this at my instrument repair bench while I repair a tuba for a public school. After I’m done, I’ll be going to the lesson studio to work with students. I’ve spent 12 years as a repair technician, and this NAILS the “why” and provides terrific insight into how we as instrument techs find meaning in our work. I have donated so much time with the mindset of, “ One broken instrument means a child without an instrument.” Well done to all involved, I feel seen in some small way.
Bless you!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Dan, for your service.
Thank you for all that you do!!!
❤❤❤ thank you!
There is a humility in people who fix objects, not found in any other area of life. Without them the stars could not heal and could not shine.
They work in silence, in back rooms, unseen and unheralded, but their co-workers and the people they serve, Know.
I was in tears from start to finish. in awe. Oscar-worthy indeed.
And they won the oscar tonight
Steve’s “I was a little Armenian boy” took me off guard (27:36). As an Italian-Armenian I felt a great joy seeing and hearing his story. Love to all young and adults who took part of this gorgeous project ❤️
Hi Michelle, Steve here, thank you for your warm words 😊🙏
Thanks to all of creators of this movie, I am a survivor of the same genocidal events in 1989 in Azerbaijan, It is my 30th anniversary with ballet company, from which 18 years I worked as a principal pianist. Thank you, USA!
Would love to read anything you write about all you went through. Hope you write a book one day. One page a day adds up to a book at the end of the year. OR, an article at the very least. And now Turkey is reenacting the past I have read. Horrific.
I would love to read your book if you will write it someday 👏
Then the hero of the film lies when he says that it was in 1987. This is in order to cover up the expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia by killing and raping them in Kafan in the same 1987. This year it was calm in Baku, he’s lying. (This little false story is the core, that is, the message of the film, and everything else is ordinary everyday life that every emigrant can tell.)
@@memus333????
@@memus333average Turk trying to pretend genocide against Armenians never happened
It is my life story too. At 9 years old in 4th grade I started taking violin classes at Lockwood Elementary School. My life changed in the class and I too fell in love with the violin and music. I played for the rest of my life. I’m my late 50’s we moved to Santa Fe New Mexico. I founded a violin program for underprivileged children. I raised the money, bought instruments and secured grants from funding trusts in town. I taught violin, we performed all over town. This program expanded to include other instruments and the arts. I gave back what was given to me at 9 in that class. These programs have continued now for over 25 years. It changed the lives of many young people too. Thank you for this beautiful film.
Beautiful story! Well played life-thank you!🫶🏽
Bless you.
My parents bought a piano and a dog I named Freckles for my brilliant sister Avis and nothing for me. I and I alone took Freckles as MY only pet. I fed her and made sure all was well with her for 19 years. On Christmas Eve in 1964 our next door neighbor Dudley ran over her. I followed her blood in the freshly fallen snow freezing and in my underpants. My mother took her to the vet and the vet gave her a shot that killed her. I vowed to never own another dog. Ten years ago I was a Hospice Social Worker for a year. My sister Avis told me recently that she never knew I had been a Hospice Social Worker. She's a millionaire and will not loan me a dime and I may lose the condo I've lived in for 32 years. She never learned compassion ,but she teaches statistics at a University. She never learned how to give back.
@@tonymiller6847 : so sorry for your experiences. I wish better things to come to you now.
Bravo!
This film encompasses what is so good about humanity! They are doing so much more than repairing instruments. ❤
What a beautiful film and what beautiful people. Please support your school's music program. Donate old instruments for children who need them. Making music together builds community and fosters peace and understanding.
Wonderful documentary & great stories! Myself & my family were Armenian refugees from Baku as Steve & his family. We left everything behind & moved to US for better life. Steve’s story brought all memories back. This is an educational film and a good example for the younger generation. I hope this documentary will be widely recognized.
Моя семья тоже из Баку. Мы переехали на Украину
This is one of the most wonderful short films I’ve ever seen. It made me cry. Music and art save lives - and create lives - and should be accessible to everyone!
Absolutely beautiful. If we are to be a civilized country, one of the things we must ensure is the access to music for every child. Please support the arts at all levels, and wherever it is found.
‘Music saved my life’, my Dad once said. As a young boy growing up in Tripoli, Libya; he was raised by his father who had been widowed when my dad was only 2 years old. Because my grandfather was unable to care for my dad, at the age of 8, he was sent to Malta to live with family. Due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, no one could keep him so Dad was placed in an orphanage. It was here he was introduced to music and was given a euphonium as his first instrument. It launched my dad into his lifelong love affair with music. He played until the age of 85. On March 22 of this year, Dad would’ve been 100 years old and though he is gone, his music plays on. ❤
As someone who finally got the guts to start playing an instrument at age 54, my hat goes off to these people. Music heals, and gives our lives a true purpose. These folks figured that out a while ago. I wish it hadn't taken me so long.
Go get 'em, Pete.
Inspired and humbled of these great individuals who sacrificed doing what love.
Bravo!
Really lovely testament to the value of public employees and to a diverse US - if you need an antidote to the hateful rhetoric + hopelessness of our current politics, this is an uplifting one.
"The value of public employees" we pay taxes for so many reasons, mostly well known. Some are unknown, unpublicized but necessary and wonderful. IRS can tax me a couple of bucks to support stuff like this.
So much goodness in 40 minutes. You can't help everyone, but you can do something. Heroes who are doing work that matters. Thank you for this gift to humanity.
just what I was thinking as I watched: "You can't do everything but you can do something." The woman from Mexico w/"the American dream" disillusioned but given a chance! and now she's doing all she can to give other kids a chance! wonderful. This is why we need documentaries, and music.
UA-cam needs a "LOVE" option
This was gorgeous.
Medicine for the soul.
❤
Yes and Yes.
Perfect Description.
One of the best docs I've seen regardless of length. I get tears in my eyes every time i watch it. Outstanding stories and storytelling. 100% Oscar worthy!
Nominated today!
II just watched it this afternoon, and was in tears by the end.
And it won!!
They took advantage of woke culture just to win an Oscar, could’ve been a great documentary, but it really isn’t
OMG!! I'm crying. My daughter found her tribe in middle and high school in Band. She married a bandmate. They are still close friends with many of the men and women they made music with. I was a 'band parent' chaperoning trips, keeping the books, and altering uniforms. Music is magical.
As a middle schooler in LAUSD, it was amazing to see not one, but TWO people who go to my school near the end. Awesome documentary!
As a retired Band Director, thank you very much! Music has made many of my students successful.
Thank you Chris Bowers and L.A. Times for producing this film. As a former music and math teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District, this documentary brought tears to my eyes.
Beautiful documentary and music. It really hit a chord with me and almost made me cry. I learned to play the clarinet and saxophone in high school (Belmont) in those borrowed instruments back in the 1970's. I went on to play in the UCLA band and eventually bought my own instruments. I'm now 66 and have been playing in a community concert band for the last 40 years. Thank you repair shop and LAUSD for giving me a music education that have given me so much joy and a social and spiritual outlet throughout my entire adult life.
I smiled, I cried and I felt great joy. This is an incredible gift to humanity. I cannot thank you enough.
Teared up the whole movie. Started sobbing at the end when the alumni band started playing and they showed the schools they all graduated from.
The makers of this film manage to weave together the individual life threads of each student and instrument repair person skillfully and seamlessly. To see the historic references brought to life (former Soviet Bloc countries, Stonewall and the events and times surrounding it) and the impact on each life. The economic, societal and family pressures of everyone who found their people, places and voices in the musical world. It made me want to applaud each and every one. The performance at the end was a beautifully orchestrated allegory of all the lives that were shown before. Each note/person was a story unto itself, but together it created a true work of art. Cheers to the young people who are starting their life journey. Blessings to the former children who rose above painful circumstances and continue to lift up others.
This is an incredible comment on an incredible film. Perfectly stated.
I had to watch this after listening to a year end arts wrap up on the NPR show 1a. The critic who chose this movie as his “must see” got choked up talking about it and blurted “I don’t know why I’m getting so emotional! I just loved this movie” and I thought I’ve got to see something that could make a critic feel like that. It didn’t disappoint. Yes, I got emotional, and I just love this movie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🥰
Congratulations on your well-deserved Oscar! And what a GREAT documentary... I'm in tears. And... wow. What a beautiful thread...the lives that were touched and changed by these amazing people!
Yes, I was in tears as well
I'm a Minneapolis Public School music teacher and I think this film is OUTSTANDING! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Incredibly strong messages. Thank you for creating this fantastic film.
Thank you!
Thank you--keep the music playing in the MN public schools!
One of the most heartwarming, touching stories ever. I remember being given the opportunity to learn the flute in 5th grade at my public school in the Pasadena Unified school district. Only because it was offered for free through the school district was I able to take advantage of the opportunity, since my mom was a single parent and funds were tight. The days that I brought my flute to school and got to go to band practice were the highlight of my week!
Hi, Ben Proudfoot, from Nova Scotia. I am a retired music teacher who then became a school librarian, in Halifax. I hear you're up for an Oscar for this short film. If it was up to me, you'd have it! Beautiful, beautiful piece of storytelling and love. I'm going to share it with all my musician (and non-musician friends). Hope to see you on Live at 5, after you win!
How prescient! They won the Oscar!
The ending was simply PERFECT! The little girl's pizzicato was a delight. Adorable.
Of Course this is a Ben Proudfoot production! This hit me on so many notes...a child of immigrants, a child of the poor side of town, a child who struggled to fit in. So many blessings from these people who put their skills into providing care and quality to resurrect old instruments. Just amazing. I've shared this link with everyone I know.
Such a beautiful documentary. Brings me to tears every time I watch it. I'm so beyond proud of my amazing dad, Steve... I love you! 🥲❤
My heart is full and I am in tears. As a daughter of a musician/singer, who was put in an orphanage as a young boy, a mom of a music major and a teacher of kids with learning disabilites and tough home lives, this movie has hit every emotion in me. Bravo to all who were involved with this film and here's to a Oscar nomination! xoxo
Armenians, move, declare yourself, make films, write books about us, about our true history, about the contribution of Armenians to the development of this civilization, so that the world knows and hears us. Do not be silent!!! Everything that is said about the events in Baku is absolutely true. My mother had a student from the city of Sumgait, where the purges of the Armenian population also took place. How much patience and tact it took my mother to bring this boy out of stress and not allow him to break down. This guy grew up and still thanks my mother for not letting him break. And the Azerbaijanis left Armenia and not a single hair fell from their heads.
No words. In a misery-filled world, this is a cup of sunshine and hope and love. Thank you for this inspiring and uplifting documentsry.
The repair folks are truly special people!
That little violinist really got me 🥲❤
So wonderfully enthusiastic about life and about her violin. One pizzicato and she's in heaven.
Stunning! I'm in tears and smiles. As a retired music educator, I know the power great music has for all of us. I applaud L.A. and all of you who helped put this documentary together -- and who support music in our public schools. Thank you!
Beautiful job. Steve was my neighbour, a very nice man. He and his magical crew are so deserving of this recognition.😊
Hi neighbor! From where?😊
@@Bumer2789Glendale. 😊your Winchester street downstairs neighbours. It’s Liana. Congratulations!🎉
Wow! Liana!!! Hi! So nice to hear from you! And thank you so much!!! 🙏❤️
@@Bumer2789👍👍👍👏👏👏💕
We ARE all connected. Through our stories, our struggles, our triumphs, our fears, our loves, our memories. Everyone you pass by every day has a mountain of stories to tell. This film is a divine reminder of that.
As a kid who benefited from music in schools, thank you to all involved who keep the gift of music alive for the next generation. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I wasn’t able to play my horn going through school.
We heard on CBC Radio an interview with the producers of this remarkable documentary this morning and we decided to look for it on UA-cam; of course we found it and, honestly, it is one of the most moving documentaries we have seen in the past few years - it’s not just about the good work, the calling to service to community, it is much more, it is (in our opinion) at its core about the essence of being & becoming human. We salute the producers, directors and everyone involved - a jewel well deserving of an Oscar. Thank you Los Angeles Time for uploading it and sharing it with the world 🧡💜💙 LCA
One of the most heartfelt and moving documentaries I have ever seen. Thank you @lausd for continuing to provide free music education in public schools and to those who have dedicated their lives to the instruments upkeep at the LAUSD instrument repair shop.
As a cellist and musician here in LA, I found this doumentary so beautiful and sad. Thank you all. Also shout out to a couple of my YOLA Los Angeles Youth Orchestra mates, Joe on Tuba and Jules Levy on bass! ^_^
I’m a music teacher in a neighboring district (different county) Ontario, CA and we see this in our music students. We are 100% title one and the connections made in this documentary is exactly why music education is so important! I am in tears. Thank you for such a wonderful story!
I started weeping 5 minutes into this film. I was deeply moved. So grateful this film was made. I don't know how well I could succeed in life without music, although I don't play an instrument. Such a beautiful film.
I was blessed to have landed in a school where Tony DeAngelis was the music teacher. In fourth grade I started to play the trumpet and music changed my life thanks to “Mr. D.” The Last Repair Shop is just such a testament to the power of music, mentorship and art that is hard to condense into words. Thank you Ben Proudfoot for your art and humanity. My favorite character from Ted Lasso had a saying that I will co-opt and change a little . . . “Music is life!”
THIS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Watching that sweet little angel go on stage to accept the award was SUCH a pleasure to behold.
I am a product of LAUSD and the Magnet Program. Started playing the Flute in 5th grade. I was part of the Hollywood High School Marching Band 1994-98 (Mr. Martin). Many of my classmates from the performing arts program continued their musical journey into professional careers! Big thanks to the volunteers, philanthropists, educators, and mentors who gave back to their community and supported the arts in L.A.. Band practice definitely kept me out of trouble.
I think every doubting American citizen should watch this wonderful story. It could change their heart. ❤️
Congratulation on winning the Oscar!
This short film features true heroes without capes in our world. THANK YOU!! ❤❤❤
A beautiful uplifting movie! God bless the repair technicians and the musicians!
As a young immigrant, in the early 70s in Los Angeles, I remember the day my little sisters came home with music instruments, one a violin, the other a sax, and thinking who in the world would let little girls take home such expensive instruments. I also remember my chest bursting with pride at the sight of my sisters trying to pry a note out of the instruments, but alas, we are not a musically talented family. Just the memory, though.
I'm so happy the Armenian story is being told ... thank you
Same.
Azerbaijan, which committed massacres and rebelled and then exiled the liar and crybaby Armenians who made up a fake genocide and made the Turks fake genocidal, is of course right.
Never forget the Armenian Genocide. And history is now repeating itself in Gaza.
@@organboi I know
This incredible film is life affirming, healing, and proof positive that music is the one language common to all creation.
I just watched THE LAST REPAIR SHOP and I'm now in tears and covered in goosebumps. What a powerful and important movie!
TO ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE MAKING OF THIS BEAUTIFUL TREASURE ... THANK YOU! 🥰🎶🎹🎻🎵❤
Oh. My. God. So beautiful and uplifting. We need more fixers of things. Thank You!
"We need more fixers of things." Yes! exactly.
Love this film. I've seen it a few times. The music is beautiful. The direction is powerful. The filmography is so nicely done. The people so authentic. The story is great. A friend said: "I wish the leaders of every school district in the USA could see this film".. I said:" From your mouth to God's ears!"
Very uplifting movie in a world of terrible tragedy and brutality. Music (and books, art, creativity) have an incredible power not just on people performing, but also repairing of instruments and watching. Thank you to the people who made the movie.
I grew up in LA County, my father was a school music teacher as well as a studio musician and concert violinist. I began playing violin at six and quickly progressed to other string instruments finally landing on trumpet where I excelled. I had the honor of sitting in first chair in the Los Angeles Honor Symphony, an experience I cherish today. I had instruments sent off for repair and they always came back better than new. I thank the repair shop for keeping my axe in great shape, I thank the filmmakers for bringing me to tears, for taking me back to my beginning, the foundational years of my musical journey. Thank You!
This documentary is worthy of Oscar 👏👏👏👏
It got an Oscar!
Thank you for posting on UA-cam for all to see!
Congrats on a well deserved Academy Award tonight!!! Fabulous documentary!!
I went to public school in San Francisco. There, our band teacher, Mr. Giambruno, taught all the instruments in the band. He offered me the bassoon. I loved that bassoon, went to music camp played in a trio with my friend, Julie. When I went to high school, my parents insisted I go to a new private school. This school had no public music program. My parents wouldn’t buy me a bassoon. Absurd! So I stopped playing. But I will never forget Mr Giambruno, Roosevelt Junior High, 1974-1976. Thank you, public music program. Thank you for this movie. Music is what we do best as humans.
What an incredibly beautiful story about these wonderful people! Some much needed light for our world right now and may this work inspire others.
An absolutely beautiful and vital film, thank you for making it and putting it up on UA-cam so as many people as possible can see it!
❤ I'm so glad this won an academy award. I enjoyed every minute.😢
This was gorgeous. As a lifelong musician and teacher this got me right in the heart. Beautifully touching.
Sought on the Oscars and said I’ve got to watch that! Oh my God amazing!
Best 40 minutes I've spent in a long time! Uplifting and grace and love filled and a whole spiritual banquet!
A gem of a film! I highly recommend it.
Wonderful, life affirming film. Was privileged to have seen the Bodie Mountain Express band play before they made it to the big time and gained a lifelong appreciation and love of bluegrass from their performances.. So happy to see one of these musicians (and their colleagues) continuing to bring the love, joy and healing possibilities of music to younger generations.
By 39:32
My father would have loved this film. He was a trumpet player in the big band era...I miss him.
I haven’t cried that much in front of a movie in a long time. These are tears of joy. What a beautiful way of sharing that behind a person there’s always a meaningful story. Thank you all of the creators and participants, all of you. For remind us we are still humans.
A wonderful film! It deserved the Oscar.
Absolutely beautiful and touching . My faith in the human race is restored
As a band kid myself, that really laid the groundwork for my evolution into other instruments and songwriting as I grew older. This was so moving! Thank you for sharing!
Congrats Mr. Bowers! Thank you to all who were part of this inspiring film.
This brought me to absolute sobbing tears at the end! What an absolutely beautiful and moving piece!
That deserved to win. I taught band in San Diego Unified and we had a repair shop. Don’t know if they still do. But the repair shops did an outstanding job of keeping the poorest instruments playing for the longest time. My students relied on them. For some students it was the only thing keeping them in school. For some it was the one success they had that helped them become successful in other things. This was the truest film I have ever seen. Congratulations.
LAUSD has some amazing employees, like these. Both in and out of the classroom, people like these make a difference in our students' lives. Congrats on a fabulous film and thank you for reminding us of what matters in life: art, crafts, family.
This is a beautiful testament to the power of gifting children a dream, a hope and escape from outside woes. You can’t put a price on giving a child a tool to another world, in this case music. Coming from a poor background and difficult home life, I would have benefitted from being able to access musical instrument and still try to learn, as a middle aged man. I hope this documentary sparks a drive in others to share the gift of music, with other children.
What a wonderful documentary. I hope you all win the Oscar.
It won last night.
Congratulations on your Oscar win! Well deserved. I grew up in Southern California and studied the violin in grade school. Thank you for sparking those sixty year old memories.
As a dad, and amateur msusician, and (credentials), thank you for illustrating, in words, music and in particular, the interviews, the explosive power of music as a community practice.
I was handed a viola when I was 13, free through a public high school program. Yes, it changed my life. At age 18, I was finally able to buy my own instrument, at Heinl's shop on Church Street in Toronto. Then I lived in a different city for many years--to study, and eventually to teach, music. On a recent TO visit, walking on Carlton, I learned Heinl has a new location. In making the move, they'd placed their old glass counter in the new shop's front room, exactly as it was in the old. What a powerful moment, what a flashback. People make light of music, they treat it as a "frill" and cut it from the schools, but--music is everywhere in daily life, it's at the heart of our humanity. We make friends through music, fall in love, get married, buried, and solace ourselves in mourning, all with music. Kids need music. It's their human birthright. And we're all kids inside.
Music is more important than school sports. It reaches way more kids. Yet, look where we are.
This makes me proud to be a LAUSD parent. Long live public schools and the music. Stay true to your hopes and dreams, everyone.
Absolutely FANTASTIC collection of stories. I can sympathize because music has been and is a VERY important part of my life.
Thank you to EVERYONE involved in this project and production! This is proof that good people still exist...
The most beautiful and uplifting piece I have seen in a very long time. Marvelous. May this one last repair shop be an inspiration-to rekindle the best of the American experiment.
The level of film craft and heart here is astonishing. Well deserving of the Oscar. Very well deserved.