Deep Dive: Wavemakers (2013)
Film Lens

Wavemakers is a documentary about the Ondes Martenot, a unique musical instrument invented by Maurice Martenot. Directed by Caroline Martel, the film traces the instrument's origins, inspired by the sounds of telegraph machines during World War I. Martenot built fewer than 300 of these instruments, and only about 70 remain today.
The film features performances and interviews with notable musicians, including Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, who learned to play the Ondes Martenot. Greenwood's performance is included in the film, along with insights from Ondiste Suzanne Binet-Audet and instrument maker Jean-Loup Dierstein. The documentary premiered at the Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal in November 2012.
Why Watch
- •Watch Jonny Greenwood's Ondes Martenot performance.
- •See interviews with Ondiste Suzanne Binet-Audet.
- •Meet instrument maker Jean-Loup Dierstein.
Did You Know
•Maurice Martenot built fewer than 300 Ondes Martenot instruments.
•Only about 70 Ondes Martenot instruments remain today.
•Jonny Greenwood was self-taught on the Ondes Martenot.
•The film had its world premiere in November 2012.
Perfect For
Experimental music fansRadiohead enthusiastsMusical instrument history