Jazz film ‘Django’ to open Berlin Film Festival
The story of guitarist Django Reinhardt will screen on February 9th 2017
BERLIN (AP) — The Berlin International Film Festival has chosen 'Django', a French film about jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt directed by Etienne Comar, to open this year’s edition.
It’s the first movie directed by Comar, who made his name as a screenwriter and producer on films including 'Of Gods and Men' and 'My King'. Frenchman Reda Kateb will play the title role. Dutch jazz band Rosenberg Trio re-recorded Reinhardt's music for the film's soundtrack.
The movie centers on Reinhardt’s flight from Nazi-occupied Paris in 1943. “Django Reinhardt was one of the most brilliant pioneers of European jazz and the father of Gypsy Swing," said festival director Dieter Kosslick. "Django grippingly portrays one chapter in the musician’s eventful life and is a poignant tale of survival. Constant danger, flight and the atrocities committed against his family could not make him stop playing."
The festival’s top Golden Bear prize will be awarded on 18th February by a jury under Dutch director Paul Verhoeven.