Resynator

Sunday, July 19th – 2pm
Tickets

Documentary • USA • 2024 • 96 Minutes
Director: Alison Tavel
Cast: Alison Tavel, Peter Gabriel, Fred Armisen, Grace Potter, Gotye, Jon Anderson

Inventor Don Tavel died suddenly when his newborn daughter was just ten weeks old. Growing up surrounded by mythical stories of her “genius” father, Alison’s life is consequently absent from any meaningful connection to him. Not until she is in her mid-twenties and on tour with rock musician Grace Potter is the seed planted to discover what he invented. Resynator is a narrative documentary that begins when Alison rescues Don’s synthesizer prototype from her grandmother’s attic. What starts off as a curious resurrection project of her dad’s Resynator soon launches into an insatiable, globe-trotting quest to untangle the web of myths and unlock the deep secrets surrounding his life and invention.

Aided by estranged family, lost friends, fellow inventors and celebrated musicians (Grace Potter, Peter Gabriel, Fred Armisen, Gotye, Jon Anderson and more), Alison soon comes to discover Don’s brilliance herself. But in unpacking his life, she also discovers unsettling truths about her father that don’t align with her long-held perception of him, as the picture of a vulnerable man emerges to replace the superhero version she had imagined all her life. Not only can she finally relate to him on a human level, but their parallel Resynator journeys reveal an indomitable bond between them. The score features the resurrected Resynator.

Nat’s Note: While this is a music film festival, and this film does involve music, what makes this film great is that it’s about so much more. Originally premiering at SXSW, Resynator took home the Audience Award for Best Documentary, not the Best Music Documentary. At Lake County Film Festival that year, Resynator took home the Jury Award. This is what our jury had to say:

Jury Statement: Alison Tavel’s documentary, Resynator, could easily have been a straightforward exploration of an obscure piece of equipment that never gained popularity. It might have consisted of an archival dive into the lives of musicians alongside discussions about circuits and soldering. However, what sets Resynator apart is Tavel’s quest not only for knowledge about a pioneering synthesizer but also for a connection to her late father.

Discovered years after Don Tavel’s passing in her grandmother’s attic, this unique prototype symbolizes not just a milestone in music technology but also the rich, unfinished narrative of an artist who was a visionary in his field. Resynator celebrates the transformative power of music while chronicling a daughter’s unwavering journey to comprehend her father’s legacy. The film honors the musical significance of Don Tavel’s invention while revitalizing his dream, resonating with anyone who has sought to unveil family secrets or understand their heritage.

One of the film’s standout achievements is its capacity to make this musical exploration feel both intimate and universal. Alison Tavel uses the synthesizer as a means to connect with her father’s essence. With the assistance of prominent musicians, including rock icons like Jon Anderson of Yes and Peter Gabriel, as well as artists like Fred Armisen, she uncovers the relevance of her father’s contributions and their importance for music lovers today.

What distinguishes Resynator is its skillful combination of technical detail and heartfelt emotion. Through personal reflections and rare interviews with groundbreaking musicians, Tavel highlights the Resynator’s significance in the music world, illustrating that her father’s synthesizer was not merely an eccentric invention but a meaningful advancement in the realm of music technology. – Mike White

Producers: Jon Lullo, Brendan Walter
Executive Producers: Rick Krim, Grace Potter
Editors: Kathryn Robson, Chris Gibson
Cinematographer: David Yeaman, Beth Cloutier, Justin Key, Max Cutrone
Music: Chris Ruggiero