Synopsis

With his sentimental performance and songs, Chet Baker has always blown jazz fans' minds away. His resemblance to James Dean got him cast in several films, drawing hordes of female fans. Unable to escape the grip of drug addiction, he repeatedly retired and made comebacks until his death in 1988 at the age of 58 in a hotel in Amsterdam. He left behind only 30 dollars, his lifelong companion trumpet, and a few personal belongings. It was the director of this film, Bruce Weber, who paid for the artist's funeral. Shot in black and white, the filmmaker documents the jazz musician’s dramatic life while introducing his famous songs such as 'Almost Blue', 'Everytime We Say Goodbye', and 'My Foolish Heart'. Scenes of his troubled life and final recording session, contrasted with rare footage of his performances with Charlie Parker and Gerry Mulligan in the 1950s, make us fall into deep sorrow over his bittersweet life. Completed in 1989, this documentary was nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards and won the Critics’ Award at the Venice Film Festival. A restored version made in 2007 will be presented at this year’s JIMFF. (Chun Jin-su)

Director

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  • Bruce Weber
  • Born in 1946 in the United States, Bruce Weber is a fashion photographer and filmmaker. He is widely known for his work in magazines such as 'GQ' and 'Rolling Stone', as well as advertising for brands like Calvin Klein, Abercrombie, and Ralph Lauren. His landmark work *Let’s Get Lost - A Portrait of Chet Baker*, which was nominated for an Academy Award, won the Critics' Award at the Venice Film Festival and caused a sensation at several other film festivals.