KÖLN 75
In 1975, legendary jazz pianist Keith Jarrett performed a historic concert at the Opera House in Köln, West Germany. Recorded and released as a live album, it became the best-selling solo album in jazz history and the best-selling piano album ever — a monumental achievement that nearly did not happen. KÖLN 75 tells the story of how it came to be.18-year-old Vera Brandes (Mala Emde), a burgeoning concert promoter, makes it her mission to get Jarrett (John Magaro) to perform on that cold, winter night. From booking the venue to marketing the event to selling tickets, the enthusiastic, bold and charming Vera gives it her all to achieve her dreams even as detractors, including her own family, stand in her way. With fourth-wall breaks and narrative shifts that echo the spirit of jazz improv, KÖLN 75 is a fast-paced and entertaining drama soundtracked to a suite of iconic jazz numbers. The film eschews typical music biopic trappings to instead focus on the pivotal behind-the-scenes figure who pulled off a miracle, one forever etched in the annals of music history. –Javier Chavez
Official Selection, 2025 Berlin International Film Festival. DIR/SCR Ido Fluk; PROD Sol Bondy, Fred Burle. Germany/Belgium/Poland, 2025, color, 115 min. In German and English with English subtitles. NOT RATED
Run Time: 115 Minutes
Opening Date: Sunday, December 07, 2025
Genre: Drama
