Köln 75
| Köln 75 | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Ido Fluk |
| Written by | Ido Fluk |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Jens Harant |
| Edited by | Anja Siemens |
| Music by |
|
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by |
|
Release dates |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Languages |
|
Köln 75 is a 2025 German music-drama film directed by Ido Fluk. The film follows the true story of Vera Brandes, teenage patron saint of the 1970s Cologne (German: Köln) music scene, as she makes plans to organize a Keith Jarrett concert in Cologne, what eventually became the album The Köln Concert. Mala Emde and John Magaro star as Brandes and Jarrett, respectively.[1]
The film, released on the 50th anniversary of the concert, was selected in the Berlinale Special Gala section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, and had its world premiere at the festival on 16 February 2025. Its theatrical release was on March 13, 2025, in German theaters.[2]
Synopsis
[edit]The film follows 18-year-old Vera Brandes as she defies her conservative parents to organize a 1975 concert by Keith Jarrett in Cologne. Despite near failure, the impromptu performance's recording becomes the iconic Köln Concert, a landmark of 20th-century music.
Cast
[edit]- Mala Emde as Vera Brandes, German concert organizer
- Susanne Wolff as 50-year-old Vera Brandes
- John Magaro as Keith Jarrett, American jazz pianist
- Michael Chernus as Michael "Mick" Watts, American journalist for Melody Maker
- Alexander Scheer as Manfred Eicher, German record producer and founder of ECM Records
- Ulrich Tukur as Dr. Brandes, Vera's father
- Jördis Triebel as Ilse Brandes, Vera's mother
Production
[edit]Principal photography began on 5 October 2023 on locations in Germany and Poland. Filming ended on 3 November 2023 in North Rhine-Westphalia.[3]
Release
[edit]The film was released on 13 March 2025 theatrically in Germany by Alamode Filmdistribution,[4] and in Switzerland by Polyfilm.[5][6] It will also be showcased at the 53rd Norwegian International Film Festival in Main Programme section on 16 August 2025.[7]
It was later released in more European regions, and is planned to be released theatrically in the United States by Zeitgeist Films.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Köln 75, Deutschland Polen 2023-2025 Spielfilm" [Köln 75, Germany Poland 2023-2025 Feature Film]. filmportal.de (in German). 16 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ Davide Abbatescianni (21 January 2025). "The Berlinale unveils the titles playing in its Competition and its Perspectives and Berlinale Special strands". Cineuropa. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Köln 75: Feature Film, 2024-20252023-2024, Art, Biography, Comedy, Drama, Music – Germany, Poland, Belgium". Crew United. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Köln 75" [Köln 75]. Alamode Filmdistribution (in German). 23 September 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Köln 75" [Köln 75]. Polyfilm (in German). 12 September 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Köln 75" [Köln 75]. ProCinema (in German). 12 September 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Köln 75". Norwegian International Film Festival. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (12 May 2025). "Keith Jarrett Music Biopic 'Koln 75' Scores U.S. Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
