Fatshimetrie recently released a fascinating documentary titled “Einstein Fix: An Electronic Symphony” that highlights the life and work of Einstein Mupalu, a mobile phone and computer repairman in Cape Town. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Einstein found refuge in South Africa in 2009, where he practices his trade with passion and dedication.
This 29-minute documentary, directed by Cape Town-based audio producer and journalist Catherine Boulle, offers a dazzling musical portrait of Einstein’s daily life. Working six days a week in his modest workshop called Einstein Fix, this digital wizard manages to solve almost any problem with record efficiency. Dead batteries, cracked screens, unresponsive keys: no matter the challenge, Einstein tackles each one with talent and determination.
Boulle’s creative approach to making this documentary is truly remarkable. By juxtaposing Einstein’s touching personal life with the hustle and bustle, humour and energy of his everyday surroundings, she creates a captivating symphony, revealing the grandeur and depth hidden behind the seemingly ordinary aspects of a craftsman’s life.
The idea for “Einstein Fix” was born from Boulle’s first-hand experience, being impressed by both the professionalism and enthusiasm of this talented repairman when he helped solve her own electronics problems. Through carefully recorded interviews and interactions in the field between March and June, Boulle managed to capture the very essence of Einstein’s personality, revealing to the audience the many facets of his life and work.
This documentary immerses us in a world rich in sound and storytelling, offering a unique exploration of the musicality, resilience and can-do spirit that defined Einstein’s daily life. Through each note of this electronic symphony, we are invited to discover the strength and beauty that reside in the very simplicity of things, through the unique gaze of an ordinary but extraordinary repairman.
In short, “Einstein Fix: An Electronic Symphony” is much more than a simple documentary about the repair of electronic devices. It is a musical and human odyssey that celebrates the talent, passion and resilience of an ordinary man who transforms each breakdown into an opportunity for brilliance. A true sensory and emotional experience that resonates long after listening to its final notes.