In this poignant true story where all aspects that coalesce a successful adult life are tested — career, family, financial stability, personal happiness and finding a place in society — the piano, once the elephant in the room, becomes the very graceful thing that comes to this family’s rescue. Music is, after all, a universal savior. Pianoman invites viewers to witness not just instrument restoration but a profound journey of healing, celebrating the universal pursuit of dreams intertwined with the desire to rediscover the comforting embrace of home.
by Lianna Albrizio
See the World Premiere of feature documentary Pianoman on February 24 @3:15 PM at LOOK Cinemas (657 West 57th Street) as part of New York City’s 12th Annual Winter Film Awards International Film Festival. Tickets now on sale!
The pounding of a piano’s wooden lid sounds as self-professed “pianoman” David Avendano emerges from inside it. After the lid is detached, he slowly picks it up, places it to the side, and stands atop the gutted instrument before making a clean jump onto the floor in slow motion. Light piano music wafts through the air in a hopeful tune.
The gutted instrument is an analogy to Avendano’s life — a wholesome body with a fiery passion that is under construction and in need of fixing and fine-tuning in order to reach his goal of making his – and his customers’ lives – better. Lucky for him, Avendano has the tool box, mentally and physically, to get to a place in his life where he’s playing a different tune. Like any success story chronicling the glissando to the American Dream, hitting a wrong key inevitably precedes it.
He calls himself the “pianoman,” but not quite Billy Joel. His job isn’t playing the piano; it’s restoring it to its former glory so it can be played to the delight of the art-making pianist and their gleeful listeners. In a sense, he’s a music maker. Not of tunes or notes, but of taking the instrument apart and fixing its complex structure so it works better, much like a therapist’s job in getting to the root of the human psyche.
“I have a responsibility to bring the piano back to life,” he says in Sunny Liu’s amazing true-life documentary Pianoman.
As with a thriving person’s need of a solid support system, for these piano laborers, it’s all hands on deck.
“The more hands you put in, the better it feels when finished,” Avendano noted.
Avendano is an undocumented immigrant living in a cramped apartment in Yonkers, New York with his wife and their three children juggling family life while patiently sorting out financial woes. Piano restoration was a craft handed down from his father after the duo fled Mexico for the US in search of the American Dream following a painful divorce. The business of piano restoration isn’t a mere livelihood; it serves as much as a purpose and passion as it does a means to bond with his family.
Like any vocation that has its share of tediousness, it doesn’t deter the men from the ultimate joy it brings them in the end (apart from being together): delivering the finished instrument to an overjoyed family that they will use to fulfill a musical dream, a peaceful pastime or pass the gift of playing to their children.
While most would turn a chubby cheek to an activity that would leave them bored to tears, Avendano’s children are eager to learn about what their Pappy’s trade. Though a lot of unsavory work — for one, using a small screwdriver on 88 keys and removing layers of paint — it’s the togetherness and the shared end goal of building something great as a unit that will be a great benefit is the soul-tickling spark that motivates him to completion.
Keen on starting his own business, an undertaking Avendano’s wife labeled him “crazy” for entertaining, he uses his hard work ethic that the classic rock-loving patriarch inherited from his father and his playful personality to get him through tough times. (The 30-something is seen donning a Tom and Jerry T-shirt in one scene.)
In reality, Avendano finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game when he learns he inherited debt from a former lessee of the piano shop he rents. This jeopardizes his business and threatens the solidarity of his family. In dire straits, his predicament also places a damper on his relationship with his wife, his high school sweetheart and fierce mama bear to their children who is plagued with second thoughts about her woeful marriage. Though holding strong to his Mexican roots, observing an eerie depiction of life intimating art with a Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, Avendano is very much into American culture, too. In one booze-fueled karaoke night, he’s seen channeling his pain singing along to an impassioned Beatles song off Abbey Road in between wearing his love of other soulful, genre-bending 1960s-era bands from Pink Floyd to Jimi Hendrix on his shirt.
Lianna Albrizio: While watching Pianoman, I can’t help but draw the analogy of restoring pianos to human healing. You have this line in the beginning where the man says “I restore pianos. The more hands you put in, the better it feels when it’s finished.” It sounds to me like a metaphor for human beings too. Much like therapy, they need to be taken apart with help from psychologists to fix what’s broken. Do you analogize the deeper or perhaps hidden meaning of this documentary to human healing at all?
Sunny Liu: In Pianoman, David Avendano’s journey as an undocumented immigrant establishing a piano factory in Yonkers, NY, intricately blends family resilience with piano restoration, symbolizing the transformative power of perseverance. The analogy between restoring pianos and human healing is vividly expressed through the words, “I restore pianos. The more hands you put in, the better it feels when it’s finished,” capturing the therapeutic process individuals undergo. The emotional crescendo of a heartwarming family reunion becomes a metaphor for the universal human yearning for belonging, poignant in the context of the challenges faced by an undocumented family. Pianoman invites viewers to witness not just instrument restoration but a profound journey of healing, celebrating the universal pursuit of dreams intertwined with the desire to rediscover the comforting embrace of home.
Lianna: How do you know the subject of this documentary, what is their name and why did you find their story compelling?
Sunny: David Avendano, the central figure in Pianoman, drew me in with his compelling story, resonating personally due to my experiences as a musician. As a trained pianist facing a career-ending injury in 2019, I turned to cinema verite and storytelling to continue expressing my passion. Entering David’s piano factory with a camera felt like a second chance to connect with my love for the instrument. Although different from playing, storytelling through visual images became a meaningful outlet. David’s statement, ‘The piano is my family,’ deeply resonated with me, reflecting the role the piano played in my identity and solace. Pianoman allowed me to transition into the role of a storyteller, aiming to share the stories of individuals I deeply care about, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in David’s world.
Lianna: How did they pick up piano restoration, and what is the personal satisfaction they receive? I interpret it as restoring an important instrument that was dear to intellectuals and musicians from Beethoven to Einstein to Rachmaninoff is akin to having a part in restoring people’s dreams who may have abandoned the instrument. Is that a part of the joy they get from putting them back together?
Sunny: In this unique scenario, none of the family members actively play the piano, yet the instrument becomes the catalyst for their reunion. Each family member contributes to the restoration process, diligently working on various aspects of the broken piano. In this collaborative effort, the piano not only undergoes repair but also serves as a source of healing, symbolically bringing the separated family back together. As they work on fixing the broken piano, a parallel restoration is occurring within the family dynamics. The act of building and rebuilding becomes intertwined, with the piano restoration mirroring the rebuilding of familial bonds. The instrument becomes a powerful metaphor for the resilience and healing of the family, serving as a common project that transcends the physical aspects of the piano to foster emotional and relational repair.
Lianna: How difficult is restoring a piano? Is it something anyone can do? What kind of personal attributes should one possess to do this kind of job?
Sunny: Restoring a piano, as depicted in David Avendano’s story, is a specialized and highly skilled task that transcends technicality, evolving into a profound journey of reviving dreams and nurturing connections. The Avendano family has turned piano restoration into a cherished family business, passing down the craft from David’s father, Philip, to his three children: Gibran, Theos, and Sol. The difficulty in piano restoration arises from the intricate nature of the instrument, demanding precision in handling its components. This task requires specific attributes such as technical proficiency, attention to detail, patience, artistic sensibility, and problem-solving skills. In essence, piano restoration, for the Avendano family, is a unique blend of skill, tradition, and familial connection—a remarkable and personal journey that demands a distinct set of attributes and expertise.
Lianna: Was this enough to merit making a movie about restoring pianos?
Sunny: Pianoman transcends the conventional narrative of restoring pianos, evolving into an intimate exploration of an undocumented family’s journey. The film goes beyond the technical aspects of piano restoration, delving deep into the struggles and aspirations of marginalized communities. It aspires not only to be a visual journey of craftsmanship but a poignant portrayal that seeks profound understanding. The film’s unique approach, intertwining the art of piano restoration with the personal journey of an undocumented family, sets it apart. It elevates the narrative beyond a technical skill showcase, making it a compelling exploration of the human experience. The authenticity, empathy, and dedication to portraying the family’s story make Pianoman not only worthy of being a movie but a meaningful and resonant cinematic piece.
Lianna: Where you approach to do this documentary, or did you take it upon yourself?
Sunny: Pianoman was a self-initiated project, born from a personal connection to David Avendano and my own experiences as a musician. Faced with a career-ending injury in 2019, I turned to cinema verite and storytelling to continue expressing my passion. Rooted in my musical background, emotional storytelling became the essence of my filmmaking journey. Similar to the piano conveying unspoken emotions, filmmaking became my canvas for articulating untold stories. The parallels between music and filmmaking are profound, with collaboration and storytelling bridging the emotional gap between heart and audience. My goal is to craft impactful narratives, evoking emotions, forging connections, and leaving an indelible mark on audiences through timeless storytelling, staying true to my musical roots.
Lianna: The film takes place in Yonkers, which is a small, bustling city in New York. In what ways do you feel the piano specifically aligns with the backdrop of this particular town? Are there a lot of pianists in the area that could benefit from such a service?
Sunny: Pianoman, set in Yonkers, portrays pianos as symbols of resilience and cultural enrichment. The film captures the vibrancy of the city’s arts scene, unveiling an emotional connection between the instrument and the diverse community. The piano restoration service, a focal point, not only benefits local pianists but also contributes to preserving Yonkers’ musical heritage. An impactful element of the narrative is David’s commitment to providing piano services to his high school, adding depth to his journey. This underscores resilience and triumph over adversity. David’s story takes a new dimension as he, now a tuner for The School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center, expands his influence, showcasing the far-reaching impact of his craft. In essence, the pianos in Yonkers represent more than musical notes; they embody resilience, cultural enrichment, and the transformative power of pursuing passion, despite the challenges of being undocumented.
Lianna: Restoring pianos is all in the family for this pianoman. And he says it brings his family together. From what I understand, he’s an immigrant, and he’s faced being separated from his family. In what ways do they bond from doing this line of work?
Sunny: In the intricate world of piano restoration, David Avendano, an undocumented immigrant, seeks solace and family unity while managing a family piano business alongside his father and brother. Despite realizing his dream of owning a piano factory, financial turmoil ensues from his mentor passing on a lease burdened with a $35,000 debt. This unforeseen challenge becomes a profound test for David, his wife Claudia, and their strained marital relationship. The documentary unfolds the emotional journey of this already struggling family as they navigate the financial blow and unresolved issues. Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the Avendano family, including Claudia, collaborates with unwavering determination. Each family member actively engages in the restoration process, meticulously working on different facets of the broken piano. Beyond a mere repair project, the collaborative effort becomes a powerful symbol of healing, reuniting a family separated for years. In the face of adversity, the restoration of the piano serves as a metaphor for the resilience of the Avendano family. Their collective effort not only seeks to resolve the debt situation left by the previous owner but also embarks on a poignant journey of reconnection.
Lianna: In what ways did making this film surprise you? What did you learn from making it, and what do you wish viewers would take away?
Sunny: The creation of Pianoman unexpectedly transformed our team as we delicately portrayed an undocumented family’s journey through personal hardships. David’s story resonated profoundly with our values, providing clarity and a deep connection that fueled our filmmaking process. Through this film, we discovered the impactful role of storytelling in addressing social issues beyond conventional narratives. Pianoman goes beyond the undocumented family story; it explores civil rights, social justice, immigration, the transformative power of music, and piano craftsmanship. We hope that the film inspires viewers, fostering shared strength and unity among diverse audiences. We believe in storytelling’s power to bridge gaps and encourage empathy, envisioning the film as a catalyst for conversations about resilience in adversity.
Lianna Albrizio
Lianna Albrizio is a seasoned journalist and editor passionate about covering all facets of the arts from film to books, music and food. She loves interviewing people and spreading the word about their amazing work for all to enjoy.
About Winter Film Awards
New York City’s 12th Annual Winter Film Awards International Film Festival runs February 21-25 2024 in New York City and includes 82 outstanding films, a diverse mixture of animated films, documentaries, comedies, romances, dramas, horror films, music videos and web series of all lengths. Our five-day event is jam-packed with screenings and Q&A sessions at NYC’s LOOK Cinemas, six Education sessions/workshops and a variety of filmmaker networking events all coming to a glittering close on February 25 with our red-carpet gala Awards Ceremony.
Winter Film Awards is dedicated to showcasing the amazing diversity of voices in indie film and our 2024 lineup is 58% made by women and half by or about people of color. Filmmakers come from 23 countries and 41% of our films were made in the New York City area. 13 films were made by students and 26 are works from first-time filmmakers.
Winter Film Awards programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Promotional support provided by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment.
Visit https://winterfilmawards.com/wfa2024/ for more information.
