I fell in love, hard and fast, with the short documentary “The Last Repair Shop” long before I knew the important people and company behind it. It’s a simple story, simply beautiful. I knew it was a winner at first glance, but I was not thinking about trophies — as a win — I was convinced that it would have a positive impact on the lives of the people and the industry the story was focused on, and I was right.
Directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers and co-distributed by L.A. Times Studios and Searchlight, the charming “The Last Repair Shop” took home the prize in the documentary short category at the Oscars on Sunday.
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This doc is so many things but essentially it was a sincere love letter to Los Angeles itself, as “The Last Repair Shop” focuses on four unsung master craftspeople who fix musical instruments for Los Angeles Unified School District students. This is the largest remaining workshop of its kind in America and the four help oversee the maintenance of 80,000 instruments, making sure that the city’s schoolchildren have instruments that can actually play every day.
Proudfoot won an Oscar in 2021 for the short “The Queen of Basketball”; that year, he and Bowers were nominated in the same category for co-directing “A Concerto Is a Conversation.”
On the Oscar stage and accepting the prize, Bowers said, “Music education isn’t just about creating incredible musicians — it’s about creating incredible human beings.”
Here’s what Oscar winners Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers had to say about “The Last Repair Shop,” which was co-distributed by L.A. Times Studios and Searchlight and is currently playing on Netflix.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
KRIS BOWERS:
I attended Juilliard, and my roommate shared a poignant story with me. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago, and his mom couldn’t afford therapy, so she bought him a $99 guitar. That guitar became his therapy throughout much of his childhood. Many of the kids in our films share similar experiences. They talk about how their instruments help them with depression, anxiety, and self-confidence. We truly believe that these instruments can have a profound impact on children, especially those in underserved communities. Ensuring they have access to music can potentially change their lives, and that’s incredibly important.
ON THE POSITIVE IMPACT THE SHORT FILM HAS MADE
BEN PROUDFOOT AND KRIS BOWERS:
We are delighted to announce a $15 million capital campaign aimed at supporting the repair shop. You can visit thelastrepairshop.com today. Every contribution, whether it’s $5, $10, or any amount, makes a difference. This underscores the power of the short documentary. We produced this film independently over the course of four years. Witnessing its impact on students’ lives is truly remarkable. We hope that this film leaves a lasting impression, both in Los Angeles and beyond.
ON REALIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SHORT DOC
KB: And so, for me, the moment that Ben [Proudfoot] told me about it was the moment that I felt like this was a story that needed to be told. I grew up in LA. And for me, the music rooms in my schools meant so much to me. I never thought about how [the instruments] were being repaired.
ON EVERYONE HAVING A STORY
KB:The question centered on the significance of each individual’s story and its worthiness to be shared. Our approach to discovering these narratives exemplifies this belief. When Ben initially proposed the idea of creating this film and approached the repair shop, there was some hesitancy due to past negative experiences with the media. However, Ben delivered a compelling speech, reminiscent of a ‘Jerry Maguire’ moment, rallying support. Four individuals from the repair shop volunteered to participate, and their stories became the heart of the film. Importantly, we didn’t know their stories until they sat in front of the camera. This underscores the notion that within every individual lies a compelling and impactful story waiting to be uncovered.
ON LOOKING AT THE NEXT GENERATION
BP:Another dimension of this film addresses the multitude of programs, foundations, and individuals dedicated to discovering the next musical prodigy. They strive to nurture talent and guide individuals towards becoming exceptional musicians. However, beyond seeking professional musicians, there exists an invaluable social benefit to music education for everyone. Personally, I experienced the transformative power of learning to play the piano. It taught me discipline, harmony, listening skills, collaboration, and more. This film emphasizes the importance of providing access to music education for all, regardless of background or circumstance. It underscores the idea that music is accessible to everyone, regardless of their story or origins.
“The Last Repair Shop” is now available to watch on Disney+ and Hulu as well as on The Times’ YouTube channel and latimes.com, as part of the L.A. Times Short Docs series.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
