Charlotte: A Wooden Boat Story

Charlotte: A Wooden Boat Story is a captivating, beautiful, and passionate documentary about the unique artistic process of wooden boat building. The film was released in 2011 and stars the talented craftsman duo, Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon. This feature-length documentary, set in the idyllic coastal town of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, elegantly narrates not just a story of boat construction, but of the dedication, craftsmanship, and communal spirit involved in preserving a fading art.

Charlotte is not a film about a person, but a portrait of an inanimate creation, a magnificent 50-foot gaff rigged schooner named Charlotte. Directors Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte and Kathryn R. Kusama, with a precise eye for emotive storytelling, follow the carefully measured, hands-on process of transforming raw materials into the functional artistry that forms this sailing vessel. The time, patience, and dedication given to the design and creation of Charlotte captivate the audience, making her the true heroine of the film.

Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon, the leading characters of the story and principle players at Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway, are masters of their trade. The duo co-founded the company in 1980 with a vision to maintain, repair, and build classic wooden boats, keeping a historical art form alive in the age of fiberglass and steel.

Across a span of 2 and half years, the film captures the exhaustive work and experienced hands that bend, carve, bolt the wooden structures, resulting in the birth of a sea-worthy sailing schooner. Their work seems to echo the rhythms of the sea - steady, gradual, and characterized by relentless motion.

However, this movie is not only about creating a wooden boat from scratch. Interwoven within the process is a rich tapestry of genuine human encounters, a microcosm of the vibrant Martha’s Vineyard coastal community. We’re introduced to a wide range of characters related to the creation of this boat: from the local timber provider, who is passionate about the integrity of his wood, to the blacksmith, whose hand-forged fittings are integral to Charlotte's construction

Moreover, it delves deep into the wisdom of sailors, shipwrights, and designers from the community whose lives gravitate towards the sea. Their stories and anecdotes, personal experiences, banter, and wisdom offer romantic insights into why such a craft continues to exist and thrive in a modern world. The film examines the symbiotic relationship between the people and their profound connection with the mystical allure of the sea, unraveled through the lens of rich maritime history and tradition.

The real narrative in 'Charlotte: A Wooden Boat Story' unfolds not only in the boatyard but also in the quiet, persistent struggle against the disappearance of a traditional and sustainable way of life that respects the sea. The film is an ode to a timeless heritage, an epitaph to manual labor, and a poem about the allure of the sea bedded on the charm of history and culture.

The immersive soundtrack smoothly synchronizes sea shanties and gentle, rhythmic hammering, which compellingly complements the maritime backdrop of the film. Skillfully captured visuals take the audience on a journey, observing the characters in their everyday life, the process of crafting in the boatyard, the meticulous detailing, and finally, the triumphant launch of Charlotte to join her sister ships in the Vineyard Haven Harbor.

In conclusion, Charlotte: A Wooden Boat Story is a documentary that is sentimental yet realistic, embodying the purist culture of boat building. The film reverberates with an underlying philosophy about dedication, passion, teamwork, and pride of craftsmanship. It offers a serene, peaceful, and inspiring narrative that will resonate with not just maritime enthusiasts, but anyone passionate about heritage, artistry, patience, and dedication. It celebrates hard work, creativity, and a commitment to tradition and community, making it a truly authentic and heartfelt depiction of the oceanic journey.