Music Film "Cologne 75": A Roaring Tale of Defiance, Liberation, and Spontaneity
By: Samantha Johnson
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Grassroots Uprising, Liberation, Creativity and Spontaneity
Fifty years ago, a landmark musical event at the Cologne Opera by jazz virtuoso Keith Jarrett marked a milestone in music history. "Cologne 75" recounts this epic tale in a captivating and humorous vein, narrating how 18-year-old Vera Brandes triumphantly stormed the various barriers erected by men to make this spectacle a reality.
The concert, which has been associated with numerous legends over time, still maintains its place as the best-selling jazz solo album and the all-time top-selling piano recording despite Jarrett's disavowal and the label's disengagement. The movie, however, not the legendary pianist, is its center.
A Rousing Tale of Vera Brandes
Screening on Vera's 50th birthday, her father publicly admonishes her as the greatest letdown of his life. As the story unfolds, we comprehend the origins of this lasting enmity between father and daughter. Young and vivacious, with music pulsating through her veins, Vera disregards the edicts of men, including her orthodox, stern father. Ditching class and imbibing the indiscriminate substances of the era, she frequents the company of musicians, collaborating with fellow activist Isa to advocate for reproductive rights.
Vera's life alters further when she crosses paths with jazz musician Ronnie Scott. Asking her to organize a tour for his band is the catalyst that sets in motion a series of events leading to the fabled Jarrett concert two years later. Having found her purpose, Vera Brandes is determined to make her mark in the music industry.
As the concert date approaches, various hurdles emerge. The Cologne Opera insists on a hefty upfront advance, which Vera struggles to come by due to her limited means and her reluctant parents' unwillingness to offer financial support. In this era of krautrock and punk, sponsoring a jazz concert carries certain risks. Would the people of Cologne embrace a performance by the pianist? When 1,400 seats are sold, a faulty Stutz piano poses a last-minute threat to the show.
*"Cologne 75" brings this drama-filled narrative to life with a blend of fictional, theatrical, and documentary elements. Director Ido Fluk encounters the reclusive and melancholic Keith Jarrett through a fictional journalist (Michael Chernus) who accompanies him for an interview, simultaneously serving as a music lesson for viewers. Jarrett's manager, Manfred Eicher (Alexander Scheer), features prominently in the conversations between them in Fluk's interpretation of behind-the-scenes dynamics.
However, "Cologne 75" makes no claims to factual accuracy, so this creative methodology is questionable to a certain extent. Instead, the film is an ode to the people who make the concert experience possible. Be it binding themselves to create such an event or to facilitate others' access to it, their unyielding passion transcends the spotlight shining on the artist, and this film and its crew exemplify that ethos.
"Cologne 75" caters to both hardcore jazz enthusiasts and casual viewers, making for an entertaining watch. Listening to the original recording of the "Cologne Concert" before or after viewing the film remains a rewarding experience.*
"Cologne 75" hits German cinemas on March 13.
Sources: ntv.de
- Cinema
- Film
- Music
- Berlin Film Festival
- Cologne
- The European Parliament and the Council held a joint session to discuss the funding for the film "Cologne 75," a project centered around the infamous Cologne Opera concert.
- Vera Brandes, the central character in "Cologne 75," dreams of blending her passion for music with activism, much like the blend of fictional, theatrical, and documentary elements in the film.
- In spite of Keith Jarrett's disavowal and the record label's disengagement, the concert at the Cologne Opera remains a significant milestone in music history, acknowledged even by The European Parliament and the Council.
