"When her genius inventor father dies, a daughter finds his old synth prototype, sparking a quest to learn his secrets and forge a posthumous connection."

OUR DOCUMENTARY REVIEW:

At its basest level, Resynator is a clever documentary about an unearthed synthesizer that has been missing from the musical scene since 1988, and that could have been revolutionary in its field. Written and directed by musician Alison Tavel, Resynator breaks down the synth’s origins and builds up its relevance into modern day music. Yet, the actual story is deeper and more wonderful than even Tavel initially expected. The Resynator was created by her father, Don, who died just as orders were coming in, and when Alison was only ten-weeks-old. The Resynator’s story is really Don’s story and Alison journeys across America, down to Colombia, and over to England to discover its, his, and ultimately, her story. For a story about a synthesizer, Resynator has an incredibly human feel.

Alison Tavel grew up aware of her father’s potential legacy but never fully grasped it. Even growing up as a musical child, it was not until her mid-twenties while out on tour with Grace Potter, whose questions led Alison to ask her own. Tavel finds one of her father’s synthesizers and begins to dig in, resurrecting both it - and him. As she goes off to find musicians who can bring clarity to the synth, she also connects with family that she had not seen in 20 years and learns about Don, her extremely talented, and heavily flawed, father. As a result, Resynator is both a musical archeological journey and an intense familial discovery that mixes into a wonderfully compelling and totally unique documentary.

Musicians and musical fans alike will enjoy the recorded discovery of the Resynator; its sounds, functionality, and game-changing appeal. Alongside Grace Potter, who exec produces the docu, Tavel meets, interviews, and even jams, with Mark Ronson, Gotye, Jon Anderson, Money Mark, Jimmy Jam, Systema Solar, and, oh yeah, Peter Gabriel. They provide insight on the machine as well as on her father, Don. All of this is new to Alison - and to most of the world.

Musical inclinations aside, Resynator completely works as a family drama that can be relatable to anyone - yes, even for those who cannot keep a beat or whistle in tune. Alison learns about her parent’s divorce leading up to Don’s death, as well as other hidden secrets by her family, including Don’s undiagnosed mental issues. She reconnects with her mother, her uncle, and grows in her own self discovery - outside of any unlocked daddy issues. 

Alison documents her own struggles but truly only those relating to her father and the Resynator itself. She keeps her private life well off-camera. Yet by doing so, fails to fully close the circle of the Resynator and Don. Other than being a roadie for Grace, Alison never provides insight or details about her daily profession. Are her duties on the road conducive to her research on the Resynator or detrimental? At one point she offhandedly mentions the financial commitment she has personally invested, but such an expense is never relayed to a compassionate viewer, who instead only sees her rock n’roll lifestyle, constant travels, and high-end rental cars (the movie was partially funded through a Kickstarter campaign). Resynator is truly about discovery, but Alison herself remains a quiet refrain.

Resynator is a beautiful journey about an electronic synthesizer and the human soul behind it. The story sings loud and clear, and jams to a remarkable beat that anyone can dance along with.