Since 2013, I've made Monday evening at the Brigadoon gathering in Utah a tradition: screening a thought-provoking documentary in Sundance Mountain Resort's historic screening room—the original home of the Sundance Film Festival.
Past films have included Caucus, A Faster Horse, and James Beard: America's First Foodie. Each sparked hours of conversation that extended well beyond the screening itself.
I seek out documentaries that focus on commitment, excellence, and uniqueness in an increasingly homogenized world.
This year's documentary screening will be One of One.
One of One offers unprecedented access to Naito Auto Engineering, one of Japan's best-kept automotive secrets.
Founded in post-WWII Tokyo, this three-generation family business has earned global renown for restoring high-value classic cars with artistry and precision. Masao Naito transformed his father's local mechanic shop into a first-class operation coveted by top collectors worldwide. But after 40 years of iron-fisted leadership, his retirement looms, revealing cracks in the family foundation. Do the younger Naitos have what it takes to keep the family together and carry the business forward?
Filmmaker Ben Bertucci captures fly-on-the-wall footage of this notoriously secretive business, including never-before-seen artisanal restoration techniques passed down from founder Shinichi Naito, a self-taught "genius" who worked on Japanese bomber planes during WWII.
Watch the trailer here.
See you in Utah.
-Marc
