The Last Repair Shop

Every once in a while, you need a movie like Kris Bowers & Ben Proudfoot's "The Last Repair Shop" to make you feel good about the world we live in. It's a reminder of the many stories we all have of ourselves that eventually shape us to be who we are and how these stories can go on to make an impact on the lives of those we wouldn't even know. With some crisp and striking cinematography, and an array of stories; each interesting and each heartfelt, the movie documents the people behind the only remaining repair shop that fixes musical instruments for its public school students at no cost. Contributing to the dreams of more than 80,000 students, and now inspiring an audience with their passion for what they do, the craftsmen at "The Last Repair Shop" make this documentary short film one of the year's finest.

Road to the Oscars, 2024. This movie is nominated for 1 award, and it's documentary short. The Last Repair shop is of course gripping and heartwarming. A little slice of life documentary about human connection and life, or alt least that's what it wants to be. A seemingly normal backdrop that would make sense for the documentary kind of falls apart when half the stories don't really make much sense in the same doc, and trying to make a red thread where there is barely one. This is still a good enough watch, but more than a collection of stories it's not. We hear about a repair shop for instruments. The people that use it and the people behind making instruments. This is a documentary about human connections and how we as people can feel connected through something even if we don't think about it. How repair people think of us and thinks about our beloved possessions. Sadly the documentary don't really but much focus into this, rather than telling the stories of the repair shops members, that barely have something to do with must or connection half the time, and it just turns into 4 interviews with some kids cut in between to try to make a loosely red thread you really are forcing into the doc. The stories told are interesting and enjoyable, but in the end it ends up being nothing but 4 people highlighting their lives and nothing more. They are all nice people and doing great work, but the documentary really needed to focus more on maybe the repairing, or the people that get their instruments repaired to make the doc make fully sense, since it ends up meaning not much by the end. The score was pretty good, which is to be expected from a doc about instruments. The music also works great with the stories told. I ended up liking what I saw, but never really connected or found it profoundly important to tell. It's interesting enough and fun to hear about people and a place like this, but in the end it's something I quickly shrug off as nothing more than a short doc in a sea of them. Oscar Predictions: I have seen 3 of the 4 nominated short documentaries and I can say now that this might have a chance, purely for being a Disney produced one. I would rather have the others I saw win, Island In Between (2023) and The Barber of Little Rock (2023) as their subject matter feels more important to tell than this. While this isn't bad, it's just not a movie you sit back and really think about.

As "The Last Repair Shop" (2023 release; 39 min.) opens, the opening credits reminds us that Los Angeles is one of the last cities providing repaired instruments for free to its public students, who are more likely than not minorities. We are then introduced to a a young Black girl as she speaks into the camera: "I love the violin!", and she tells her story how she became enamored with the violin. In a parallel story, we are introduced to a guy whose is responsible for fixing string instruments like the violin. At this point we are 5 minutes into the film. Couple of comments: "The Last Repair Shop" profiles 4 students and 4 repair people. Each and every single one of them has a deeply human and moving story as to their background and how they ended up taking up an instrument or repairing these instruments. This short documentary demonstrates the power of storytelling. No social effects needed! The film itself is carefully crafted. I was in particular impressed by the score that is featured, itself a marvel of classical music. I must admit that when the end credits started rolling, I was emotionally not ready to say goodbye to these people and their incredible soties. "The Last Repair Shop" earned a well-deserved Short Documentary Oscar nomination. I was not familiar with the film at all, until I saw a "For Your Consideration" ad for it in the Sunday New York Times this weekend. The ad mentioned that this is now streaming on Hulu, and I immediately decided to check it out. So glad I did. If you are in the mood for a deeply moving and uplifting movie experience that will remind us of the value of the arts in our schools and communities, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

"The Last Repair Shop" is a poignant documentary that intricately weaves together the threads of history, music, and human resilience, creating a harmonious narrative that resonates deeply with viewers. Directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, this Oscar-nominated short film invites audiences into the captivating world of a Los Angeles-based repair shop, where the mending of musical instruments becomes a transformative force for individuals and their communities. At its core, the documentary unfolds as a tribute to the tireless efforts of four unsung heroes who work diligently to ensure that no student is deprived of the joy of music. The repair technicians, portrayed with sincerity and passion, showcase an unwavering commitment to preserving not just instruments but the dreams and potential of countless children. Their stories are interwoven with the tales of young musicians, often from immigrant or non-white families, whose lives are touched by the reparative magic of the shop. The film's success lies in its ability to transcend the mundane and elevate the seemingly routine act of instrument repair into a powerful metaphor for hope, resilience, and the universal language of music. The exploration of historical struggles and violence, coupled with personal narratives from immigrant families seeking the 'American Dream,' adds layers of depth and relatability to the documentary. One of the documentary's strengths is its emphasis on inclusivity, highlighting the impact of music on those who often find themselves marginalized in underfunded public schools. The narrative beautifully captures the transformative potential of music in offering discipline, personal growth, and a pathway to a brighter future for children who may otherwise be overlooked. The cinematography, though occasionally drifting, captures the essence of each interviewee's story with warmth and sensitivity. The film's 39-minute runtime, just below the Academy Award's short film threshold, is a testament to its ability to deliver a compelling narrative without overstaying its welcome. The positive reviews for "The Last Repair Shop" are well-deserved. Viewers are treated to a genuine and emotionally charged exploration of the profound impact of music on individuals and communities. The stories shared by the repair technicians and the young musicians are moving testaments to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of art. In conclusion, "The Last Repair Shop" stands as a beacon of hope and a celebration of the beauty found in simple things. Its touching portrayal of the repair shop's role as a haven where time slows down and memory finds shelter resonates long after the credits roll. This documentary is not merely about fixing instruments; it's about mending lives, fostering dreams, and creating a symphony of hope in the midst of life's challenges. A must-watch for anyone who believes in the transformative power of music and the indomitable spirit of the human heart.

I can't help but wonder if the person who made this documentary has ever seen another documentary in their life. Same goes for those who chose to nominate it for an Academy Award. It is so full of BS cliché that it could pass for an Onion parody. So much for a documentary: a bunch of archival footage, some B-roll, and music at the end, all set to a few boring interviews about some people's lives, the likes of which I could do in the next 45 seconds with my dad, my uncle or the next door neighbor, without any skill. There is a bracket of about 7 minutes that is somewhat interesting and the cinematography is not terrible, but the rest is below unwatchable. There is NO insight into anything to do with the instruments, just a few generalized boring comments I could have made myself to myself while watching. The backstories are irrelevant or at least not made to seem relevant in any way to the theme stated at the beginning, which is that these people are left among the few doing what they are doing. There is nothing about what it is for them to be "the last repair shop" or thereabout. The first guy is gay and good for him but what does that have to do with repairing the instruments. The second lady is an immigrant who had a tough life and no money, which is a story half the people I know and about a quarter of the videos on YouTube have to say so what's the interesting take? And the bald guy seems to have had a fascinating life but he never bothers to tell us how the he*l he got from opening for Elvis Presley to fixing instruments for kids. Just don't bother to watch this, you can find dozens of better YouTube videos about any of the subjects mentioned in the film.

"The Last Repair Shop" is a poem in prose, a hymn to memory and resistance against the tyranny of disposability. It is an invitation to celebrate the beauty of what was created with love, to listen to the stories that old objects have to tell. At the end of the journey, we are touched by a sweet melancholy and a deep gratitude. Melancholy for the loss of a world where objects were valued and repaired, and gratitude for finding, amidst the fast pace of modern life, a haven where time slows down and memory finds shelter. May this film inspire in each of us a passion for preservation, respect for the past, and the search for beauty in simple things. May we all be guardians of time, restoring not only objects, but also the memories that reside within them.

It's a powerful and emotional short documentary from Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers. They nailed it. The emotional and humanistic impact of this documentary is beyond words. It's absolutely touching and humanistic. There are so many elements to its core values. The Last Repair Shop is about music, broken musical instruments and the way that they can be easily fixed and have an impact on someone's life, the people who work on that shop and fix the instruments for years and how this friendly shop helped them without any segregation and inequality. Through the stories they share, we can find so many different layers to the United States issues and the way the people are trying to cope with situation, mostly with the help of music or a job that provides them some security and stability. Musically, Katya Richardson and Kris Bowers done a superb job. Every note was written with a lot of care and passion. The ending credits was just mind-blowing and was emotionally like something that you rarely experience. I don't think that I saw anything as strong as The Last Repair Shop in 2023! 8.5/10.

I cannot stress enough the value of watching this moving Documentary. As another user said, "not nearly long enough." It left me wanting more for sure- is a good way. Wonderfully written, shot, & edited. And the sound! Using the kids in the score recording was genius. You will not be sorry you spent the time. The experience helps remind you people have stories and are worth spending the time to listen & learn about. Music is such an important part of our lives. In so many unique and various ways sound touches us all. Whether you play or just listen- even if you play for your own pleasure or professionally, or casually listen or you're a diehard hard fan, music moves you.

This is a movie I saw after a very long time that had a story about human lives. It depicted the mass murder of innocent people in Armenia, the 'American dream', and the reality behind it. It also portrayed a simple request of a child which, if ignored, could have probably led him down a very different path. The story of people loving each other, and the love which is passed on to others, was beautifully presented. This was a beautiful movie. I wish other filmmakers could understand what a movie means, learn from this, and make more of these. Humans can be saved if they see what they can do to make a difference and should understand the lies around us. Simple movies like this can raise a lot of questions that were never asked before. I loved the movie. Thank you!

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