The Last Repair Shop | 2024 Oscar-winning Documentary Short

Hey! Kris Bowers here, co-director and co-composer for this film. Please feel free to reply with any questions you have about the filmmaking and/or the music, and I'll do my best to answer them! Thanks for watching.

They aren't repairing instruments - they are repairing kids, repairing families, repairing communities. And, last but not least, they are repairing themselves. What a beautiful film.

What a beautiful film. This should be required viewing by school boards and anyone who understands (or doesn't understand) the value of our public schools.

I am a product of LAUSD. I used a school trombone starting in the third grade. I graduated from UCSB with a music performance degree in trombone. I went to Robert Fulton Jr. High and Van Nuys High School. I had exceptional teachers, especially Sid Lasaine at VNHS. Thanks to my LAUSD music teachers and those that repaired my instrument! ♥

There is a humility in people who fix objects, not found in any other area of life. Without them the stars could not heal and could not shine. They work in silence, in back rooms, unseen and unheralded, but their co-workers and the people they serve, Know. I was in tears from start to finish. in awe. Oscar-worthy indeed.

I am watching this at my instrument repair bench while I repair a tuba for a public school. After I’m done, I’ll be going to the lesson studio to work with students. I’ve spent 12 years as a repair technician, and this NAILS the “why” and provides terrific insight into how we as instrument techs find meaning in our work. I have donated so much time with the mindset of, “ One broken instrument means a child without an instrument.” Well done to all involved, I feel seen in some small way.

Deserves an Academy Award for best Documentary

I smiled, I cried and I felt great joy. This is an incredible gift to humanity. I cannot thank you enough.

OMG!! I'm crying. My daughter found her tribe in middle and high school in Band. She married a bandmate. They are still close friends with many of the men and women they made music with. I was a 'band parent' chaperoning trips, keeping the books, and altering uniforms. Music is magical.

This is one of the most wonderful short films I’ve ever seen. It made me cry. Music and art save lives - and create lives - and should be accessible to everyone!

Gotta say, probably the most worthwhile short film I've ever seen (in 86 years)!

So much goodness in 40 minutes. You can't help everyone, but you can do something. Heroes who are doing work that matters. Thank you for this gift to humanity.

This armenian woman from the same city as Steve thanks you for highlighting our history. Bawled my eyes out. Definitely an Oscar- worthy film.

As someone who finally got the guts to start playing an instrument at age 54, my hat goes off to these people. Music heals, and gives our lives a true purpose. These folks figured that out a while ago. I wish it hadn't taken me so long.

YouTube needs a "LOVE" option This was gorgeous. Medicine for the soul.

‘Music saved my life’, my Dad once said. As a young boy growing up in Tripoli, Libya; he was raised by his father who had been widowed when my dad was only 2 years old. Because my grandfather was unable to care for my dad, at the age of 8, he was sent to Malta to live with family. Due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, no one could keep him so Dad was placed in an orphanage. It was here he was introduced to music and was given a euphonium as his first instrument. It launched my dad into his lifelong love affair with music. He played until the age of 85. On March 22 of this year, Dad would’ve been 100 years old and though he is gone, his music plays on. ❤

I funded this important program for 10 years. When district personnel and leadership wanted to eliminate it, I stood firm in ensuring that these remarkable "geppettos" could do their excellent work.

As a middle schooler in LAUSD, it was amazing to see not one, but TWO people who go to my school near the end. Awesome documentary!

Steve’s “I was a little Armenian boy” took me off guard (27:36). As an Italian-Armenian I felt a great joy seeing and hearing his story. Love to all young and adults who took part of this gorgeous project ❤️

As a retired Band Director, thank you very much! Music has made many of my students successful.