The Piano Tuner – A film made with seniors and pianos
6 Sep 2026
Over the eight years of making The Piano Tuner, many seniors across the Northern Territory became much more than people appearing in front of the camera. They shared their memories, knowledge, jokes and songs — contributing to tell a story about pianos in some of the most unlikely corners of Australia. From Darwin to Katherine and Alice Springs, the film features remarkable senior Territorians whose stories remind us that music makes us forever young.
🎬 Synopsis
Martin Tucker is a travelling “piano doctor”, tuning and restoring everything from forgotten uprights to treasured grand pianos. Australia was once home to more pianos per capita than anywhere in the world, but today many acoustic pianos are being replaced by digital keyboards and destined for landfill.
With a carload of tools and strings, Martin travels across some of the world’s most piano-hostile environments, from Tasmania to the tropical north, seeking new clients and breathing new life into pianos. Every instrument he encounters has a story to tell.
Along the way, Martin meets hospitable old-timers, isolated eccentrics, migrant families, concert pianists, artists and collectors. Through their memories and music, each instrument becomes a doorway into stories of family, migration, happiness or loss and need for belonging. What begins as a journey to tune pianos gradually reveals an intimate portrait of contemporary Australia and its enduring relationship with one remarkable instrument in the multicultural society.
Filmed over eight years, director Natalia Laska follows Martin with patience and curiosity, capturing not only his extraordinary dedication to a disappearing craft but also the special attitude that makes him welcome in homes across the country. As Martin restores pianos, he also rekindles memories, fires up communities and reminds people of the joy that acoustic music can bring. Warm, humorous and deeply moving, The Piano Tuner celebrates craftsmanship and Australia’s rich piano heritage while exploring the universal power of music to connect people across generations, cultures and landscapes.
Watch the trailer, https://vimeo.com/1185082820
Community screenings Q&As
After two full-house screenings at the Sydney Film Festival, where The Piano Tuner was Runner-Up for the Audience Award for Best Australian Documentary, we are bringing the film home to NT communities.
Documentary. Run time 90 minutes
- Darwin – Deckchair Cinema
- 24 September Use promo code Code: SENIORS11 for the NT premiere on 24 September at Deckchair Cinema that gives Seniors $11 tickets*
- 12 October
- Katherine – Cinema 3 Tentatively 11 October
- Alice Springs – Araluen 18 October
Come and see some familiar faces on the big screen, meet the filmmakers and continue the conversation afterwards.
Thank you for being part of this film. See you at the cinema!
Please your COTA NT membership or NT Seniors Card with you.