Passing Through
Larry Clark / US, 1977 / 111 min.
Intense, political jazz film with raw energy featuring jazz as an emancipatory, political power. Larry Clark is one of the luminaries of the L.A. Rebellion movement that, since the 1970s, has revolted against Hollywood and wanted to create its own, new Black cinema.
Saxophonist Eddie Warmack has just been released from prison and wants to better his ways by focusing on music. However, he runs into trouble with powerful, dodgy characters in the music industry who brazenly exploit jazz musicians for profit. His artistic integrity is at stake.
The jazz-laden Passing Through is a seldom-screened American indie film gem with a score arranged by Horace Tapscott featuring music from artists including Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy and Sun Ra.
It shines a stimulating light on the historic origins of jazz which are sometimes at odds with the (often white) music industry, a society obsessed with personal gains and the emancipatory power of (jazz)music. As evinced by the opening, 15-minute ode to jazz musicians consisting of scintillating coloured planes. An explosion-like film. First screening in the Netherlands that we are aware of!
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Details
Director
Larry Clark
Production year
1977
Country
US
Original title
Passing Through
Length
111 min.
Language
English
Subtitles
NONE
Format
DCP
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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