Köln 75 (2025)
In January 1975, 18‑year‑old Vera Brandes defies her conservative parents and takes a risk by booking the Cologne Opera House for a solo concert by Keith Jarrett, an American jazz pianist. Despite obstacles—an unsafe piano, Jarrett’s exhaustion, and looming cancellation—the show goes ahead. The performance is recorded spontaneously and later becomes The Köln Concert, the best‑selling solo jazz album in history.🎬 What is it? Plot: A 2025 German–Polish–Belgian music drama/biopic directed and written by Ido Fluk. The film dramatizes the true story of the 1975 Köln Concert, one of the most iconic solo jazz performances ever, against the backdrop of a teenager’s ambition to bring it to life. Runtime: Approximately 110–116 minutes. Languages: Primarily German, with some English . Premiere & Release: Premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Special Gala) on 16 Feb 2025; released theatrically in Germany on 13 March 2025.🌟 Critics Rotten Tomatoes: Modest “Tomatometer” with 5 critic reviews; reception describes it as infectious, highlighting Vera’s energy and Emde’s performance. Screen Daily praises the energetic portrayal and rebellious jazz-rock tone. Cinema Perspective lauds its vibrant 70s visuals, dynamic storytelling, and breaking-the-fourth-wall devices. Some criticism notes the lack of Jarrett’s original music due to licensing issues, which impacts the film's authenticity.📰 Why It Matters The story sheds light on Vera Brandes, often overlooked despite her central role in bringing The Köln Concert to life. It celebrates the punk-spirited essence of DIY music promotion—especially for a young woman in a male-dominated environment . The backdrop includes Jarrett’s legendary struggle with a flawed piano and exhaustion, which inadvertently contributed to the concert’s unique sound.💰 International Box Office According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed US $7,626 in Hungary from its late‑May limited release. IMDb lists a global total of around US $8,500 .This suggests the film has seen only modest theatrical returns so far.🇩🇪 Domestic (German) Release The ‑numbers.com does not report any box office revenue for Germany as of yet . However, anecdotal data from a Reddit user notes that during its first week in Germany, ~50,000 tickets were sold. That’s a respectable showing for an arthouse biopic, even if it hasn’t translated to high earnings yet.🌟 Conclusion Köln 75 is an upbeat, character-driven biopic that's less about the music itself and more about youthful ambition, resilience, and the serendipitous magic of improvisation. With standout performances—especially by Mala Emde—and a fresh, narrative style, it appeals to those interested in music, 70s culture, or empowering true-life stories.
- 2025
- 1 h : 52 min
- 231 views
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7.092
- 12
- Deutsch
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