A Film by Sydney DeBari, Denise Fabella, Avia Hawkins. Synopsis: Antonio Martínez -- owner of Hospital del Juguete -- has dedicated his life to the preservation of Spanish culture through the restoration of vintage toys and family keepsakes. Artistic Statements: Avia Hawkins: To study abroad infers that one takes academic courses in a different country while learning about it on a social, historical, and political scale. After choosing to study abroad in Spain, – a nation with multiple cultural layers and an exciting past– I opted to take a documentary course with hopes of learning about the people and their ways of life. Our professors put our group in contact with Sr. Antonio Martínez Rivas, a man that inherited “Hospital del Juguete” from his parents and has dedicated his life to repairing toys for the people of Spain and beyond. Although he works long hours and is concerned for the future of the store, he insists that toys are an important part of a country’s culture and repairing them allows people to maintain memories and connections with their toys and loved ones. This belief is clearly reality when one looks across the faces of those that drop off their broken playthings with hope and pick them up a few days later with joy. While making the film, we struggled most with finding a process to capture while also telling Antonio’s story. Still, we overcame this obstacle and made the red car a recurring visual throughout the film to show how much effort and precision he puts into his work. Despite Antonio’s confession that he lacks an interested successor to command his shop, the film demonstrates continuity through the new life he brings to the toy he repairs, while emphasizing the values of family, hard work, and passion that the Spanish people are known to appreciate. Denise Fabella: My semester in Spain was very much like my first day in Madrid Stories - I expected one thing, and got another. I expected Madrid Stories to be a writing class, and instead I ended up making a short documentary about one of the most dedicated people I have ever met. Ever since I was a child, I have cherished my Minnie Mouse doll with all my heart. At the age of 21, I am nowhere near giving up my beloved stuffed toy. She has been with me for most of my life; she has been the ultimate constant despite her inanimateness. I have attached so much meaning to this doll, and I know that not too many people will not be able to understand how or why. At the Hospital del Juguete, Antonio’s clients came around his front desk to speak with him so that they could be on the same level of understanding. Antonio repairs these objects that carry so much meaning - a remote controlled car from a time when dirty knees didn’t matter, a playhouse from a time when any future was attainable, a doll that never gave up on you from a time when you thought everyone else did. It made me realize that Antonio does not work as hard as he does solely for money - he does it for these people that have become his friends, albeit temporarily, and the sentiments these toys hold. This is what drew me to his story, to his work, to his passion. I hope this film can shed a light on the life of artisanal workers. They are a breed slowly becoming extinct in this time of convenience. Antonio has come to accept that he does not know what will happen to his Hospital after he retires, but he continues to bring joy to his customers every single day despite the uncertainty of tomorrow. Sydney DeBari: Almost five years ago, I found an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “36 Hours in Madrid.” Reading it gave me a small glimpse into the world of the Spanish capital, a culinary and cultural mecca of historical monuments and vibrant night life. I did not know at the time that half a decade later, I would find myself living and learning in the city featured in that newspaper. More often than not, travelers find themselves window shopping their way through the famous cities of Spain. A weekend, or even a few weeks’ stay, in Madrid will give you enough time to explore the masterpieces of the Prado and taste the delicatessens of the mercados. But the simple yet poignant mundanities of daily life can be hidden in the corners less traveled by tourists. Hospital del Juguete lies in one of those corners. My fellow directors and I sought to create a film that tackled the successes and struggles of Spanish artisanal workers. When we connected with Antonio and his toy restoration shop, Hospital del Juguete, the project began to evolve from a cultural observation to a more personal portrait of the Hospital and its humble owner. Antonio welcomed us into his shop and allowed us to uncover the difficulties of maintaining a business that depends on the traditions of the past. His words are powerful and speak to the dedication and passion he holds for Hospital del Juguete. We are proud to share these moments through our film.
