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Grigoryan Brothers – A Boy Called Sailboat

July 14 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

$25 – $49

BMI – Minerva Space

A Boy Called Sailboat film poster with Grigoryan Brothers

Film Screening with the soundtrack performed live by the Grigoryan Brothers, followed by a Q & A with the film’s writer/director Cameron Nugent.

A Boy Called Sailboat film poster with Grigoryan Brothers

Acclaimed guitarists Slava & Leonard Grigoryan have expanded their creative output by crafting and recording the soundtrack to the award-winning movie A Boy Called Sailboat.

 This heart-warming movie, written and developed by Melbourne-based creative team Cameron Nugent and Andrew Curry was filmed in New Mexico and stars Academy Award® winning actor J.K Simmons, Noel G, Elizabeth De Razzo, Jake Busey, Lew Temple and Julian Atocani Sanchez in the title role.

Sailboat brings love and hope to a family who have forged a simple but proud life in the drought-ridden Deep South. One afternoon he brings home a “little guitar”. From this moment, Sailboat and his little guitar are inseparable, and when his ill grandmother requests he write a song for her, Sailboat meanders through adversity to deliver the unimaginable – the greatest song ever written.

The Latin-themed soundtrack is a key element to the movie and provides an opportunity for audiences to hear the Grigoryan Brothers like never before.

Slava and Leonard

Two musicians with instrument cases in urban alleyway
Slava & Leonard Grigoryan

 Guitarists, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are counted amongst the finest musicians of their generation having developed a reputation for enthralling audiences with the energy of their performances and the breadth of their repertoire – embracing genres such as classical, jazz and contemporary music from around the world.

Between them, they have received 4 ARIA awards (Australian Recording Industry Association) and an incredible 24 ARIA Award nominations. As a duo they have recorded 12 albums with the 13th coming out in 2023.

They have been touring internationally since 2003, regularly performing throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA.

“The musical themes in “A Boy Called Sailboat” are an integral part of the film, and as such the execution had to be perfect. Lucky for us we met Slava and Lenny, the magnificent Grigoryan Brothers, who delivered way above expectation. Their performance in the recording is just sublime, and once we heard it, we just knew that it would be best heard live. To have such virtuoso musicians play on the film was a very personal honour, and the experience of hearing the creations in the studio was pure joy. We’re very proud to be able to present this special screening and live performance of the musical score of “A Boy Called Sailboat, and just know that you will be treated to a wonderful experience.”

From the Cameron Nugent (Director) and Andrew Curry (Producer)

“It has been an immense pleasure and privilege to have had the opportunity of creating the soundtrack for ‘A Boy Called Sailboat’. We loved the idea of having nothing but two guitars as a backdrop to this wonderful story. Despite being initially daunted, collaborating so closely with director Cameron Nugent and producer Andrew Curry was nothing short of inspiring. It was very exciting to see these familiar songs take shape and become such an integral component of this beautiful production.”

From the Grigoryan Brothers

Tickets: $49 general admittance, $45 concession, $25 under 18yrs. Plus booking fees.

Two guitarists performing beneath large projected image screen
Two guitarists performing with projected ukulele image backdrop
Film festival screening with live acoustic performance

This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, learn and create. Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.