Best Documentary
Pianomania: In Search of the Perfect Sound
Directed by: Robert Cibis and Lilian Franck
www.pianomania.de
“A joyful, often funny look at a majestic instrument, and the men who have devoted their lives to it. Pianomania is full of surprises – prepare yourself for an emotional ride.” – Sheffield Doc/Fest
Pianomania takes you into the secret world of sounds - a place where passion and the pursuit of perfection collide with artistic obsession and a little bit of madness. As Steinway & Sons’ chief technician and Master Tuner in Vienna, Stefan Knüpfer is dedicated to the unusual task of pairing world-class instruments with world-famous pianists. Juggling the demands of the pianist, the piano, and the piece to find the perfect match requires boundless enthusiasm, but also endless patience and nerves of steel. No detail is too small or too inconsequential for Knüpfer, not even the tiniest speck of dust on a piano string. Pianomania is a humorous and surprisingly suspenseful peek into the heated clash of wills between a genius craftsman and the renowned pianists who rely on his talent – including Lang Lang, Alfred Brendel, Rudolf Buchbinder and Pierre-Laurent Aimand – as they search together for that elusive perfect tone.
(93 minutes)
Best Documentary, Mendocino Film Festival; Golden Gate Award for Best Documentary San Francisco International Film Festival; Nominated Best Documentary European Film Awards
www.pianomania.de
“A joyful, often funny look at a majestic instrument, and the men who have devoted their lives to it. Pianomania is full of surprises – prepare yourself for an emotional ride.” – Sheffield Doc/FestPianomania takes you into the secret world of sounds - a place where passion and the pursuit of perfection collide with artistic obsession and a little bit of madness. As Steinway & Sons’ chief technician and Master Tuner in Vienna, Stefan Knüpfer is dedicated to the unusual task of pairing world-class instruments with world-famous pianists. Juggling the demands of the pianist, the piano, and the piece to find the perfect match requires boundless enthusiasm, but also endless patience and nerves of steel. No detail is too small or too inconsequential for Knüpfer, not even the tiniest speck of dust on a piano string. Pianomania is a humorous and surprisingly suspenseful peek into the heated clash of wills between a genius craftsman and the renowned pianists who rely on his talent – including Lang Lang, Alfred Brendel, Rudolf Buchbinder and Pierre-Laurent Aimand – as they search together for that elusive perfect tone.
(93 minutes)
Best Documentary, Mendocino Film Festival; Golden Gate Award for Best Documentary San Francisco International Film Festival; Nominated Best Documentary European Film Awards
This program is made possible by the generous
support of Dr. Richard Louis Miller; Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary.
support of Dr. Richard Louis Miller; Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary.
2011 Mendocino Film Festival