About the Film
In some Balkan countries, there’s a special kind of tree that possesses a kind of wood distinguished by its ability to amplify sound, creating unique musical instruments. The price of this type of trees’ wood reaches legendary figures due to its rarity.
While in his twenties, violin-maker Gaspar Borchardt had seen a similar tree while biking across Bosnia, though he couldn’t take it with him. Years later, he embarks on a great adventure to search for that very same tree in order to craft an exemplary violin, promising to gift it to world-renowned violinist Janine Jansen. In turn, the film becomes a classic journey by an artist seeking perfection in his craft.
The film’s narration goes beyond a search for a rare tree, expanding into a journey into Gaspar’s psyche as he rediscovers what he’s capable of doing to realize his dream.
He journeys to the Balkan countries, which haven’t fully healed from wounds left by the civil wars and the control of lawless men, and asks questions about the extent of his own resilience as he enters this foreign world, overcoming his repetitive disappointments so he could reach artistic perfection. Just like Pygmalion.
From illegal brokers to organized crime gangsters, Gaspar doesn’t shrink away from taking any risks or accepting the possibility of failure, which grants him access to toughness he didn’t know he possessed.
He is not only devoted to fulfilling his own legend but is dedicated to keeping his promise to Janine, eagerly awaiting the unrivaled violin. In the end, what started as a film about the searching journey for a piece of wood, no matter how expensive it is, becomes a journey into the artist’s psyche as he discovers to what extent he can infiltrate his personal boundaries to reach his goals.
Amir Ramses
