Synopsis

The Montmartre Jazz Club in Copenhagen, Denmark was once known as the “center of European jazz.” This legendary venue thrived until the mid-1970s, but it has been 30 years since its closure. Danish jazz pianist Niels Lan Doky gathers jazz masters such as Johnny Griffin, Albert Heath, and Toots Thielemans to prepare a spectacular comeback concert. After an intense and unpredictable rehearsal process, the musicians deliver a breathtaking and passionate performance, reviving the fading memories of the Montmartre Jazz Club. Highlights include the unforgettable voice of Norwegian singer Lisa Nilsson, a fiery performance by 76-year-old Johnny Griffin, and the ever-smiling 82-year-old Toots Thielemans. Directed by Niels Lan Doky, who visited Korea for a concert in 2006, the film beautifully captures the moment where music becomes a bridge between past and present. As Toots Thielemans once said, it lies “somewhere between a smile and a tear”—a film filled with both nostalgia for what’s been lost and hope that music transcends time and space.

Director

Niels Lan Doky

Born in 1963 to a Vietnamese father and Danish mother, Niels Lan Doky is a multitalented musician. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he debuted in 1986 with his first album and has since released more than 26 albums. Not only a pianist, he has worked as a producer on many other artists’ albums and shown exceptional talent in composition and arrangement, earning him widespread recognition across Europe. He performed in Korea in 2006 and has been involved in various projects, including the 2007 pop collaboration with Korean jazz vocalist Nah Youn-sun.