Synopsis
A documentary about Steven Jerome showing the traditional art of basket making.
My Father's Tools
2017 Directed by Heather Condo
Cast
Genre
Popular reviews
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On the one hand, this is totally the type of video you see playing on loop in a dark alcove of some tiny museum dedicated to preserving the memory of a native people. Nearby, under eerie soft lights, you'll find some artifacts, bone and wood and leather. In the next room, a lovingly detailed diorama...
And on the OTHER hand, I was absolutely, totally, 100% into watching this guy craft a wooden basket with his hands with unbelievable artisan mastery.
As a sliver of a legacy, a tradition, it's a damn fine keepsake.
As a film -- it's still best suited for a museum. -
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It felt as one of those aesthetic asmr youtube video where the person cooks, but even more relaxing. Also, it's a really cool way to show native american traditional art.
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Smart with its minimalism, using the process of creation to emphasis little different small sounds, precision with the hands, and time. A very gentle and wise short film, and one that has an odd appeal in how preserving it is of elements maybe taken for granted on a cinematic level. Far from distant, but still Heather Condo keeps her choices subtle so as to emphasize the odd grace of Steven Jerome's own creation process.
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My Father’s Tools: Quiet, Patient Woodworking
Quickie Review:
Almost missed this one on MUBI today. Where do I start?
There’s something magically special about the simplicity of this film’s... content matter. It’s... character. Hell, it’s presentation of these entirely. In hindsight, the crew and cast effectively immortalized a way of life. A tradition of basket making.
[for somewhat easier reading, click here]
From standing tree (carefree and minding its own business) to woven basket (simplistically sturdy as fuck). What caught my interest the most was the process. The steps that Stephen Jerome (of the Mi’kmaq nation) takes to continue his father’s work are nearly mesmerizing. There was something very strange in the way it deserved to be admired. The way… -
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A very simple film about the making of baskets as per the Mi'kmaq tribe tradition. 'My Father's Tools' showcases Stephen producing these baskets from start to finish, sawing the tree off, smelling it, then thinning the wood into strips and finally assembling these to form the end product. Stephen continues this tradition in honour of his father, using his tools for this job. The film is serene, with no music, only the sound of Stephen carefully making the basket. The film might just be a tad too simple, too quiet, without enough engagement with the protagonist of the film, Stephen - it would have been nice perhaps to hear about Stephen's father for example - but that is what makes the film refreshing as well. Interesting in its documenting of the production of these traditional baskets, endearing in its character and straight forward approach.
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Dokumenter ttg seorang ayah seniman ukir (baca: tukang kayu) dlm melakukan pekerjaannya.
Perlu bgt nih anak² tau keseharian Ayah mereka dlm bekerja, agar mereka tahu sulitnya mencari uang.