Carmine Street Guitars

Carmine Street Guitars is a heart-warming and inspiriting 2018 documentary film profiling the lives and work of Rick Kelly, his apprentice Cindy Hulej, and Rick’s mother Dorothy Kelly. The film captures the soul and spirit of a unique guitar shop in Greenwich Village in New York City, where time slows and handcrafted art seems to dominate an otherwise bustling urban setting. This splendid piece of cinematic art is directed by veteran filmmaker Ron Mann and lensed by talented cinematographers John Minh Tran and Becky Parsons.

The Carmine Street Guitars shop is no ordinary store but rather a sanctuary for renowned musicians, local artists, and guitar enthusiasts. Rick Kelly, the owner, luthier, and the heart of the shop, is known for his extraordinary creations of custom-made guitars, beautifully carved, and sculpted from reclaimed timber salvaged from New York's historic buildings. Rick's hand-built guitars are renowned for having an older soul, a reminiscence and resonance that is infused from the aged timber, inviting and enchanting musicians from all around.

Rick's charming apprentice Cindy Hulej is another significant figure in the film, an aspiring guitar-maker presenting a youthful counterpoint to Rick's measured wisdom. Her journey and evolution throughout the film are symbolic of the passage of craft and tradition from one generation to another. The young and vibrant luthier-in-training with a punk aesthetic adds a special flavor to the film, echoing a beautiful juxtaposition of age and youth, tradition and rebellion, history and future.

Thirdly, there is Dorothy Kelly, Rick's mother, who completes the trilogy of the film's protagonists. Dorothy holds a vital role in the shop, answering the phones and interacting generously with the incoming customers. Her warm heart and congenial nature personify the shop's ethos, setting a friendly, inviting atmosphere that welcomes even the most casual visitor into this world of wood, wires, and melodies.

The documentary utilizes its 80-minute runtime to connect us with Rick, Cindy, and Dorothy's daily life while giving us a glimpse into the small but thriving community surrounding the shop. Throughout the film, we meet a colorful parade of musicians who frequent Carmine Street Guitars, providing an eclectic soundtrack to the film. From actors to rock-stars, each customer brings their own narrative to the film, creating a compelling tapestry of stories and experiences that revolve around the mesmerizing thread of music and craftsmanship from this small workshop.

Carmine Street Guitars is an incredibly poignant exploration of art and craftsmanship in an era where mechanization and commodification often overtake such traditional pursuits. The film beautifully encapsulates the quiet intimacy and craftsmanship that still exists in corners of the world, quietly defying the wave of mass production. It's a hymn to handmade objects, to patience and to tradition — reminding us of the true value behind time, tradition, and human touch.

Perhaps what makes Carmine Street Guitars so captivating is its unwavering focus on the beauty of simple, honest work and the connections it fosters. The film is a tender tribute to not only the art of guitar making but also the sense of community that music can cultivate. Through the film, we come to understand the shop as more than a place where guitars are made and sold. It's a place where stories are told, songs are born, and connections are made - all thanks to the dedication and love of a ordinary man, his young apprentice, and his inspiring mother.

Through Carmine Street Guitars, director Ron Mann beautifully captures a slice of the world that operates on a different beat – one that’s slow, measured and infinitely resonant. It's a journey in which the past resonates in every corner, every sound wave, and in every piece of wood – where history is soaked into the grain of Kelly’s guitars. Thus, the film presents a vivid picture of the rapidly changing New York City landscape and the remarkable individuals who tenaciously hold on to the city's dwindling counterculture.

In a nutshell, Carmine Street Guitars is an ode to the timelessness of handcrafted art and the communities that such spaces foster. The documentary is a touching portrayal of generational transition, passion for craft, and preservation of history that strikes all the right chords. A must-watch gem that is bound to leave you feeling warm, inspired, and humbly reminded of the beauty that resides in the simplicity and authenticity of dedication and craft.