Blue Giant
Japanese animation film about a boy who wants to become the best saxophonist in the world. In the bustling nightclubs of Tokyo, he soon discovers that the life of a professional jazz musician is not for cowards.
The day he discovers jazz, Dai Miyamoto’s life is turned upside down. He picks up a saxophone and starts practising day and night, determined to become one of the best jazz musicians of all time. He trades his boring hometown for Tokyo nightlife. Together with a cocky but super-talented pianist and a budding drummer, Dai forms the jazz trio Jass. Their raucous, explosive performances soon attract the attention of local audiences. But what does it take to be truly great?
Passion for jazz is at the heart of this energetic adaptation of Shinichi Ishizuka’s manga of the same name. At its European premiere at the recent International Film Festival Rotterdam, director Yuzuru Tachikawa encouraged the audience to clap and cheer – just like at a concert – at the end of each song in the film. The live music scenes are the highlights of this animation film; colours and rays of light accentuate the music and visualise the sensory experience that jazz can be.
Japanese jazz musician Hiromi Uehara – herself acclaimed for her live performances – wrote the score. (mv)