This beautiful short by director Michael Bernard offers a rare glimpse into the ancient craft of instrument making.

The art of the luthier is a tradition dating back hundereds of years. Although the process of instrument construction has been industrialised in recent times to allow for mass production, the ancient craft of producing a string instrument by hand still observes to the same techniques devised and perfected by the great master luthiers centuries ago.

The Benning family of Los Angeles, California have been America’s most respected makers for three generations, with the youngest Bennings beginning their training to become the fourth generation in the dynasty to carry on the tradition. As part of his series of short films exploring the beauty and precision of hand crafting, this latest installment of Michael Bernard’s Finding Bespoke serial offers a captivating glimpse into the world of this family of violinmakers and the craft they are preserving.

Also in the series, Finding Bespoke, The Shoemaker.