The Bowmakers (2019)
The story of the most important instrument you’ve never heard of.
This documentary film explores the world of the bow and the extraordinary masters who make them. The bow is the Cinderella of the orchestra—the overworked and overshadowed ally to its more glamorous partners. Few people, even among lovers of classical music, think of the bow as an instrument in its own right, but players of stringed instruments see them differently. To musicians, the bow is as essential to expressing the soul of the music as the violin or cello. The film follows the journey of the “silent servant” of the music world—from the workshops of the virtuosos of the trade, to the birthplace of the bow in France, and to Brazil, home to the imperiled tree from which the world’s finest bows are made.
Cast
- Charles Espey - Self, bow-maker
- Paul Siefried - Self, bow-maker
- Robert Morrow - Self, bow-maker
- Ole Kanestrom - Self, bow-maker
- Cody Kowalski - Self, bow-maker
- Stéphane Tomachot - Self, bow-maker
- Joséphine Tomachot - Self, bow-maker
- Noel Burke - Self, bow-maker
- Johnny Gandelsman - Self, violinist, Brooklyn Rider
- Colin Jacobsen - Self, violinist, Brooklyn Rider
Screenplay
Keywords
france, violin, cello, bow, washington state, wood, woodworking, brazil
Trailer
The Bowmakers TrailerFrequently Asked Questions
- What is The Bowmakers about?
- This documentary film explores the world of the bow and the extraordinary masters who make them. The bow is the Cinderella of the orchestra—the overworked and overshadowed ally to its more glamorous partners. Few people, even among lovers of classical music, think of the bow as an instrument in its own right, but players of stringed instruments see them differently. To musicians, the bow is as essential to expressing the soul of the music as the violin or cello. The film follows the journey of the “silent servant” of the music world—from the workshops of the virtuosos of the trade, to the birthplace of the bow in France, and to Brazil, home to the imperiled tree from which the world’s finest bows are made.
- Who directed The Bowmakers?
- The Bowmakers was directed by Ward Serrill.
- Who stars in The Bowmakers?
- The Bowmakers stars Charles Espey, Paul Siefried, Robert Morrow, Ole Kanestrom, Cody Kowalski, Stéphane Tomachot.
- How long is The Bowmakers?
- The Bowmakers has a runtime of 1h 46m (106 minutes).
- What genre is The Bowmakers?
- The Bowmakers is a Documentary film.
- Where was The Bowmakers produced?
- The Bowmakers was produced in United States of America.