The Keymaster; Patrick Olwell’s Story

The Keymaster - a feature length documentary about wooden flute maker Patrick Olwell. From a Liberal Arts college in Massachusetts to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Patrick Olwell’s journey has led him to become one of the great wooden flute makers of all time. His flutes are played by some of the top Irish musicians in the world, including Matt Molloy of The Chieftains and Seamus Egan of Solas. With a quirky sense of humour and the voice of a storyteller, Patrick recounts his humble beginnings as an instrument maker, living in a cabin in rural Virginia with no electricity or running water, and his slow climb to prominence as his flutes become some of the most sought after instruments in Celtic music. In a voyage of discovery, the film weaves together not just Patrick’s story, but also the many steps in making a flute, some rare wood trivia, Irish sessions, archery, swimming, laughter, tears, and interviews with some of the most dynamic Irish musicians out there today. Winner of “Audience Award“ and “Best Colorado Film Maker“ awards at the Intendence film festival, and official selection at film festivals around the US, and a genuinely human portrait of an intelligent, passionate craftsman, ’The Keymaster’ is a film for everyone, and shows what can happen when you never give up on your dreams. Jem Moore (Descant Productions) and Blayne Chastain (Tekoa Films) are two Colorado film makers collaborating on this unique documentary. Their previous work has included documentaries for the Boulder Bach Festival, Sounds of Lyons, and the award-winning documentary on Hang Gliding, “A Dream of Flying“