The Shoemaker

Dustin Cohen, the filmaker behind last year’s The Violin Maker, has added a new artisan to his “Made in Brooklyn” series. Frank Catalfumo has been making and repairing shoes at F&C Shoes, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, since 1945. And today, the 90 (and a half) year old shoemaker still works five days a week alongside his son Michael. I can’t wait for my next trip to New York as I’d absolutely love to meet the man so dedicated to his craft.

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25 Comments

  1. Ohhhh this looks really moving. There is something so inspiring about a craft that has been honed over a lifetime. I cannot even begin to imagine the pride this man must take in his work. Thank you so much for sharing!

    <3becky
    http://www.loosefromthezoo.com

    4.5.13
    Reply
  2. Frances wrote:

    Great pictures!

    4.5.13
    Reply
  3. Amazing photographs. I love seeing people who still have these talents and are so impressive when other people resort to factories. Such incredible craftsman ship is hard to come by! So inspiring!

    xoxo
    Juliette Laura
    juliettelaura.blogspot.com

    4.5.13
    Reply
  4. brooke wrote:

    wow, that store and its owner is such a throwback! i love how charming the store is and thank goodness a filmmaker has documented this important craft.

    http://www.insparisian.com

    4.5.13
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  5. Rachelle wrote:

    I’ve always been fascinated with shoe making, thank you for this.

    xo
    http://pinksole.com

    4.5.13
    Reply
  6. Alicia wrote:

    Wow, these are photos great and the film clip is beautiful annnnnnd I feel silly saying this, but doesn’t he look amazing for 90?! I think that’s a product of really loving what you do, staying young of body and mind. Just another reason to get out of a work world filled with stress and crap you hate.

    4.5.13
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  7. Denisa wrote:

    Perfect pics and I like to see it.. Have a nice day.

    http://www.fashiondenis.com/

    4.5.13
    Reply
  8. meg wrote:

    This is amazing!
    I would love to design and create my own shoes. What an amazing talent!

    http://happinessiscreating.com/

    4.5.13
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  9. We have to keep on going, people! Inspiring!

    4.5.13
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  10. Very inspirational, what an art.
    http://www.shadeofredblog.com

    4.5.13
    Reply
  11. he is one of those people that one falls in love with right away…

    http://bellaconscience.blogspot.com/2013/04/california-dreaming.html

    4.5.13
    Reply
  12. Kaelyn wrote:

    That what such a great post! Thanks for sharing this. It was very inspiring.

    4.5.13
    Reply
  13. Paty wrote:

    Nice!!
    I’m posting looks from L.A. and accessories:

    http://www.thegavlaks.com

    4.5.13
    Reply
  14. Shelley wrote:

    Wow, this man is so inspiring! They say that if you work at what you love, you will never have to work a day in your life. That’s what I’m trying to do!
    https://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthChildArt?ref=si_shop

    4.5.13
    Reply
  15. What an amazing video!!! Very inspiring!!

    xxx
    Naomi
    http://www.bonnieclydemarni.com

    4.6.13
    Reply
  16. wow…inspiring!

    4.9.13
    Reply
  17. Ajay Gupta wrote:

    Beautiful! I’m a bit of tech head and your images are unbelieveably sharp! What camera/lenses did you use for this? What about sound gear? This is so inspirational. I’m trying to do videos like this for vast variety of traditional artisans here in India….would love them to look this good.

    Cheers and keep it up!

    Ajay

    4.9.13
    Reply
  18. Sundal wrote:

    Ajay, I would LOVE to see those videos when they are done! I was so inspired by the ingenuity employed by the Indian people when I was there so I think that’ll be a fascinating series.

    4.14.13
    Reply
  19. It is like my dream to visit a shoe making factory and the shoes making with my own eyes. Your article gives a feeling of me in a the shoe factory. Thank you, I really appreciate your work and enjoyed reading your blog post.

    Regards,
    Baker Marine

    4.30.13
    Reply
  20. Fran wrote:

    I was hoping to see shoes… 🙁

    All his tools, but not one example of his art.

    5.15.13
    Reply
  21. Peter wrote:

    I used to live there! Pass by his shop everyday to take subway!
    I was googleing some shoe craft photo which lead me here.
    Then I realized that it is that shore! I know it at once when I see the cat logo on the picture.

    8.22.14
    Reply