The Last Violin

This is a special one-off preview screening for our fabulous supporters, cast, crew, and the general public.

The bar at the theatre will be open from 6.30pm for drinks and the screening will start at 7.30pm.

There will be a 15 - 30 minute Q & A at the end of the film with the filmmakers Carla Thackrah and Romano Crivici.

Film Length: 75 minutes

The story: When Romano Crivici persuades retired master violinmaker, Harry Vatiliotis, to make a last violin, a heart-warming story unfolds. 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 on each of them. It's shot in one location - their home in the suburbs of Sydney, which Harry and Maria have shared for over 60 years.

The film director (Carla Thackrah) 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 filming approach has been hands-off and observational, capturing the meditative process of hand-making a fine violin from rough pieces of wood together with the often comical and irreverent relational interactions between Harry, Maria, and Romano, their friend of many years.

An important element is an exquisite score by Romano Crivici; all played on Harry's instruments.