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Eye on Sound: Mo' Better Blues (Spike Lee, US 1990) (soundwave)

Mo' Better Blues

Spike Lee / US, 1990 / 129 min.

Trumpeter Gilliam, played with subtle intensity by Denzel Washington, dedicates so much time to music that he neglects his friends and lovers. Fabulous score by Branford Marsalis (Buckshot LeFonque) and Terenche Blanchard (Lee's regular film composer and member of the Jazz Messengers)

poster Mo' Better Blues (Spike Lee, US 1990)
At the time, people were critical of Spike Lee following his intense, political breakthrough Do The Right Thing (1989) with this much tamer, meandering Mo' Better Blues. However, there is plenty to love about this atypical 'Spike Lee joint'. The colours shot by cameraman Ernest Dickerson explode off the screen, plenty of attention was paid to the lush decor and costumes and the whole film is interlarded with Lee's love of jazz.

Special screenings

Details

Persons under 16 years must be accompanied by an adultThis movie contains scenes of violenceThis movie contains foul language

Director

Spike Lee

Production year

1990

Country

US

Original title

Mo' Better Blues

Length

129 min.

Language

English

Subtitles

NLD

Format

35mm

Part of

All That Jazz

All That Jazz: a scintillating programme on jazz and film featuring classics, live performances and a focus on exceptional avant-garde and activist filmmakers with a passion for jazz. From Miles Davis to Vincent de Boer, from Sun Ra to Ornette Coleman.

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still Mo' Better Blues (Spike Lee, US 1990)
still Mo' Better Blues (Spike Lee, US 1990)
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  • 18 January — 1 June 2025

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