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LAST VIOLIN, THE

Year: 2022

Classification: Exempt - Ronin Recommends: PG

Runtime: 75 min

Produced In: Australia

Directed By: Carla Thackrah

Produced By: Carla Thackrah

Language: English and Greek (with English subtitles)

price includes GST and postage

Vimeo on demand

THE LAST VIOLIN screens on SBS at 4.05pm on Sunday 15 September.

Master violin maker, Charalambos Vatiliotis, known as Harry, is 85 and has retired. When Romano, a violinist and friend of 48 years, persuades him to make one final violin, a heart-warming story unfolds.

"An enchanting film... it's a love story: a love story about music, a love story about the violin, and it's a love story about this extraordinary instrument maker."(
- Phillip Adams, Late Night Live, ABC Radio National

"FIlled with great emotional tenderness."
- Jessica Tu, Limelight Magazine

Harry is widely regarded as Australia's finest living violin maker. He and his wife Maria came from Cyprus in the 1950s. Romano Crivici, a professional violinist and composer, has known Harry for 48 years. Together they share the making of Romano's last violin which may also be Harry's last, as old age begins to take its toll.

Shot in the one location - the home in the suburbs of Sydney which Harry and Maria have shared and barely left for over 60 years - the filmmakers spent a year charting the making of Harry and Romano's last violin within the context of' friendship and humour. The film's observational style captures the intricate process of hand-making a fine concert violin from a rough piece of wood, interwoven with scenes of loving banter between Harry and Maria. The story is enhanced by an exquisite score composed by Harry's friend, Romano Crivici, played entirely on instruments made by Harry.

VIEW TRAILER HERE: vimeo.com/881877215

Musicians: Romano Crivici, Allie Osborne, Robert Harris, Margaret Iddison

Cinematographer, Director, Editor - Carla Thackrah
Produced and written by Carla Thackrah and Romano Crivici
Composer - Romano Crivici
Sound - Geoff McGahan, Jacob Hedges
Colour - Roen Davis CBD
Subtitles - Nick Shimmin
(c) SeeTEa Productions


FESTIVALS AND AWARDS

WINNER - BEST FEATURE DOC, CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2023

OFFICIAL SELECTION, SEPTIMUS AWARDS, The Netherlands 2023

WINNER - Best Documentary, Bridges International Film Festival, Corinthos, Greece.