Director: Ido Fluk
Some stories are too improbable to be fiction. A teenage concert promoter, a broken piano, a jazz genius and a series of increasingly difficult obstacles somehow combine to create one of the most celebrated recordings in music history, and a fantastic film.
Rather than focusing on Keith Jarrett, the pianist behind the concert, Director Ido Fluk wisely centres the story on Vera Brandes, the teenage promoter whose determination brought the concert into existence. Played with infectious energy by Mala Emde, Vera is a compelling protagonist, navigating dismissive and emotionally abusive parents, unhelpful venue staff and mounting financial disaster with a mixture of naivety, confidence and sheer force of will.
The film looks terrific. Fluk employs an energetic visual style that mirrors the improvisational nature of jazz, keeping the pace brisk and the tone consistently entertaining. There is a playful confidence to the storytelling, with the film embracing the absurdity of its true story without ever descending into farce. The supporting cast is equally strong, bringing warmth and humour to a narrative that could easily have become a dry retelling of historical events.
Some jazz purists may be disappointed to learn that the filmmakers were unable to secure the rights to Jarrett’s original recordings. Yet the absence of the famous music proves far less significant than expected. Köln 75 is ultimately not about the concert itself but the remarkable chain of events that made it possible. By shifting the focus away from musical reverence and towards human perseverance, the film finds a story that is arguably more universal.
If there is a criticism, it is that the film occasionally favours momentum over depth. Jarrett remains something of an enigma and those hoping for a deeper exploration of the musician may leave wanting more. However, that feels like a conscious choice rather than a failing.
Stylish, funny and consistently engaging, Köln 75 transforms a niche piece of music history into an accessible and highly entertaining underdog story.
Köln 75 released by VUE Lumiere is in UK and Irish cinemas on 5th June
