Django

Django. Director/Writer Etienne Comar (primarily a Producer "Of God and Men" 2010) brings forth yet another amazing untold story about the German occupancy, this time set in Paris. This poignant music filled production chronicles the life of gypsy musician Django Reinhardt (Red Kateb "Zero Dark Thirty" 2012). When Django (who became a renown European Jazz and Gypsy Swing aficionado) and his band "Hot Quintet" is hired to entertain Nazi's in Germany, at a time when Jazz, the Blues and certain percussion instruments and musical beats were forbidden, the event turns hostile and soon his family and friends are forbidden to live their encampment, the young are forced to join the resistance, and soon he flees for his life. Comar starts the film with camera work that is too jumpy and too close to its characters to understand what and why things are happening. However, once he abandons this format, and steps back and establishes the environment (beautiful cinematography by Christophe Beaucarne) and begins to tell the story, the film gains its footing and never lets go. The musical presentation (music by Warren Ellis) in this film, especially the final concert, are mesmerizing and not to be missed. I don't know if Kateb actually performed the various guitar arrangements, but if he did, his performance is to be rewarded. Supporting Django in a successful minor role is his wife Naguine (Bea Playa), his mother Negros (Bombay Merstein) with her spirited personality, his resistance lover Louise de Klerk (Cecile De France) and his various bandmates. I have to say, I was not initially sold on this film. However, when the story of survival presented itself, set against the beautiful music and harsh realities of the WWII Nazi occupancy, I couldn't help but become fully invested in the presentation. This film was screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival #PSIFF2018

Solid biopic of a short period of Django's life during WWII. Acting OK, photography is very good, plot is OK but the music and the onscreen playing thereof is masterful.

A splendid gripping film, released on the day we Dutch honor all those who have fallen during the 2nd World War. The captivating acting and the way in which the film was shot, immerses you in and meanders you along a distressing part of Django Reinhardt's life. The spellbinding music in the film, paying homage to Django Reinhardt's innovative jazz with an infusing Gypsy flavor, will stay with you for the rest of your life. And if you ever have the good fortune to visit the chapel of Saint-Pierre in Villefrance-sur- Mer (France) and look at the details of the wall paintings by Jean Cocteau, you will realize what a big impact Django has made on lots of people.

I found the DVD of this movie at my public library and watched it at home. A curious DVD presentation in that it has no menu, it just starts and runs for almost 2 hours, mostly French and German with English subtitles.

I am a musician but only became familiar with Django Reinhardt in the Woody Allen movie "Sweet and Low Down" which featured a fictional character, a guitarist, who would almost faint at the thought of even meeting Reinhardt, his idol. So this movie is a good look at who the guitarist really was.

Reda Kateb, a Belgian actor, is very good as Django Reinhardt. Even though he had been playing for quite a while the story here picks up in 1943 France during the German occupation. Django had a double whammy against him, being a Gypsy and being a Jazz musician, two things the Nazis were against and killed many for. But he managed to survive because of his musicianship.

Good movie of an interesting musician in a difficult time. he didn't live much longer, dying at age 43.

This film covers mostly 1943 as well as a bit in May, 1945 at the end. So, obviously this film is not Django Reinhardt's entire life story. It's a shame but I can certainly understand why they chose this path. If you want to know more about the man, check Wikipedia and go from there.

The film picks up in the middle of WWII. Django is a big star in Paris and is even loved by the occupying Nazis. What makes this so unusual is that he was one of the Romani (aka Gypseys) and they were hated and persecuted by the Reich. Additionally, he played swing...a style music associated with black Americans...a group also despised by the German government. Problems develop when the Nazis insist he do a tour of Germany and Django is worried he'll never return. So, they decide to make a run for it. The movie is all about this period of time.

The film is something I really appreciated because tons of films have been done about the Jewish Holocaust. These are excellent films but the Romani were also gassed in large numbers and I can't think of a single film that covers it other than this one. It makes for a sad viewing experience...but also a masterfully crafted one well worth your time.