UPDATE
The Last Violin has had its European premiere at the Cyprus International Film Festival, followed by the Bridges International Film Festival in Corinth. Given Harry’s Cypriot heritage, it is perfectly fitting the premiere was in his country of birth, Cyprus and Greece. Thanks to your generous donations, Romano and Alexandra, who feature in the film, performed four concerts at the festivals on Harry’s Last Violin. The film won the Best Documentary award at both festivals. The film will be screened by SBS starting in July 2024, and remain on SBS On Demand for three years. Ronin Films is the Australian distributor.
SYNOPSIS
Charalambos Vatiliotis, or Harry, is considered Australia’s greatest 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 also threatens to be Harry’s last, as the ravages of old age take their toll.
Shot in the one location – the home in the suburbs of Sydney which Harry and Maria have shared for over 60 years – the director has spent many days over many months charting the making of Harry and Romano’s last violin within the context of the love, friendship and care that each of the three protagonists shares. The director has been hands-off and observational, capturing the intimate and meditative process of hand-making a fine violin from a few rough pieces of wood together with the often comical interactions between Harry, Maria, and Romano, their friend of many years. An important element is an exquisite score by Romano Crivici performed on Harry’s instruments.
