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Against The Grain - Documentary Film About Furniture Maker Sebastian Cox

Marchmont House

336,930 views

Watch more craft films: https://www.marchmonthouse.com/stories

Discover the life of one of the great innovators of craft.

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Credits:
Executive Producers - Hugo Burge & Alan Martin
‍Director - Duncan Parker
‍Producer - Mo Ahmed
‍Shoot Director - David Marks
‍Researchers - Hattie Elilis & Miles Chandler
‍Associate Production Manger - Alex Rae
‍1st Unit Camera - Declan Burely
‍2nd Unit Camera - Gwilym Evans
‍Editor - Ben King
‍Colourist - Jon Howard
Music - Henry Green
‍Sound Design - Claudio Ahlers
‍Graphics - Robin Littlewood

‍Thanks to - Sebastian Cox, Brogan Cox, Annie Warburton, James Simpson, Indira Esser-Dunbar, Sean Sutcliffe, Benchmark, Forestry England, Tyler Hards, Ikea, Made.com, The Weald & Downland Living Museum, Willow & all the employees of Sebastian Cox Limited

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20 Comments

@jpgregor 2 years ago

Probably the best 59 minutes and 12 seconds I spent on YouTube in a long time.

@musamor75 1 month ago

Quite a rare specimen, is Sebastian Cox. So few makers have this kind of ethics and conscience. Mind you, the waste in this kind of a workshop is truly minimal compared to any other woodworking industry.
Cabinet maker and furniture restorer here; it sometimes used to rally get to me- the fact that we always worked for the rich and wealthy. Thank goodness that I occasionally did work for "normal" people.
Sebastian certainly has a gift, and seems to be a thoroughly decent person.
Thnak you for sharing this informative and stimulating documentary.

@tintinsnowyful 3 years ago

Lovely and thoughtful documentary. Thank you. I appreciate that Sebastian didn't really resolve his dilemma. I see from the comments that some felt he was selling out, others had differing interpretations. My feeling is...do both. Do design work for the Chinese factory as an additional income stream. Do custom and commissioned work that wealthy folks can afford. That way you can keep your lovely team of craftsmen & women employed and busy. I'm reminded of a Volvo advertisement from many years ago where they showed the Volvo ethos of small teams constructing a car from start to finish, instead of focusing on 'manufacturing categories'. I don't know if they still do that but it's nice to see the members of your team keeping that tradition alive.

@souslesbombes 3 years ago

The way he thinks about woodworking is radical. I say that in the best way possible.

@what7600 1 month ago

Been using YouTube premium for 12yrs this video make it’s worth it

@davidcchambers 2 years ago

Brilliantly conceiced and beautifully created. Thank you for sharing Sebastian's story here for the broadest of audiences to consume.

@atoms-to-atoms 1 year ago

Seb Cox's has woven sustainability of furniture making into wonderful art....The richest people on the planet are the Seb Cox's of this world. Understanding the embedded cost of material which is taken for granted...well done all involved.....wonderful stuff, wonderful chisels. Capetown

@clashfive 11 months ago

Wow, that had me choked up when the apprentice said “you look at it and say I made that” it's something you can't describe to anyone who hasn't felt it 🙏👍👊

@azulceleste7202 3 months ago

Truly amazing documentary, honestly.

@Jackson-T23 3 years ago (edited)

10:28 Interesting fact. William Morris' designs are still widely prevalent today. The Morris chair has become synonymous with craftsmanship, functionality, and aesthetics. In fact, I'm sitting on one right now. It's become such an adopted design that it now goes by many other names. Mission chair, Craftsman chair, Amish chair, etc.

@andreataddei 8 months ago

Amazing film. Congratulations for the passion and dedication behind this project, and heartfelt congratulations as well to everyone who helped bring this powerful and authentic story to life.

@jraglob5924 3 years ago

Excellent, I make things out of cast off wood. A lot from old pallet wood. I am always amazed at what I find when I mill the wood into a usable product. Often times stripping off the "finish" will reveal some real beauty in just the natural wood itself.

@goldenmath4091 1 year ago

Hi Seb, my son is currently studying product design at Plymouth, and I sent him this for inspiration
I am a time served engineer and designer, and it's so refreshing to see the love of craft
And like you I long for a time where the beauty of everyday things can become the love of the many
' don't only practice your art...'
Love it, don't change

@thefinchworkshop 2 years ago

Thoroughly enjoyed this and was inspired by the message. I'll look at my hobby in a different light now. More please.

@daniadejonghe4980 2 years ago

by making things that are worth having not only for the immediate present buy for future generations... most 'stuff' is crap, no one will miss it when it is gone. Make something truly beautiful.

@InFocus_Creation 9 months ago

I want to do a little docu about the woodworking hobby of my father myself as a starting videographer and your video certainly inspired me alot to get started! Great shots, storytelling!!! 😁👍

@TheMickeynatureamok 3 years ago

This is what you call in Germany "Selbstbeweihräucherung" (self-congratulations with incense), the music of this movie and the slow motion of the wood chips give the rest!

@johncamp7679 2 years ago

She made the right call not having an undercut on the carved table. It appeared “light” by the carving. My opinion.

@PuraVetus 1 year ago

This is by far the best documentary I've seen in a long time. Very inspiring since I want to start my own furniture business. A few days ago I found the line of furniture I want to make, I found my niche.

Thank you for making this docu.