Grasshopper Films acquired the North American distribution rights for “Rewind & Play,” Alan Gomez’s feature-length documentary about the late pianist Thelonious Monk.
The film is scheduled to be shown at the 60th New York Film Festival later this month and will open in theaters early next year. The document uses an interview with Monk in France from 1969, which many now consider deeply problematic, as its focus.
In December 1969, Monk arrived in Paris for a concert at the end of a European tour. While there, he was invited to appear on a TV interview show, where he had to answer questions on an intimate one-on-one studio stage.
Using newly discovered footage from a recording of the interview, French-Senegalese director Gomis reveals an unsettling dynamic between Monck and his white interlocutor, Henri Renaud – who was an outspoken admirer of the monk – and how the musician stands his ground despite Renault’s hostility. petty approach.
Gomez’s film is described as a “subtle but painful display” of episodic racism, which introduces another dimension to the musical genius at work.
“Alain Gomis’s fantastic song ‘Rewind & Play’ will delight a monk, jazz, or any music or arts lover,” said Ryan Krivoshi, founder of Grasshopper Film.
Focusing on one television interview from the late 1960s, and incorporating previously unreleased material, Gomis manages to offer a loving appreciation for a legendary artist, while cleverly deconstructing the larger social system in which he had to live and work.
The deal was negotiated by Krivoshey of Grasshopper Film with Arnaud Dommerc of Andolfi.
“Rewind and Play” directed by Gomis. It was produced by Anuk Khalifa (Sphere Films) and Arnaud Dommerc (Andolfi). Audio mix and re-recording by Matthieu Deniau, editing by Gomis.
Gomez made his debut in 2002 with the movie “L’Afrance” about the struggle of immigrants in France. The film won the Silver Cheetah Award at the Locarno Film Festival. His film “Andalusia” was shown at the 2012 Venice Film Festival, while his 2017 film “Aujourd’hui” (“Tey”) was shown at the Berlinale, winning a Gold Award at Fespaco. He returned to the Berlinale in 2017 with the film “Félicité”. The film won the competition’s Grand Jury Prize, a second Gold Award at Fespaco, and represented Senegal at the Academy Awards where it was nominated for Best International Feature Film.
Grasshopper Film, specializing in independent cinema and Art House, is set to release ‘Pacification’ by Albert Serra, Verena Paravel and Lucien Castang Taylor’s ‘De Humani Corporis Fabrica’, Joana Pimenta and Adirley Queirós ‘Dry Ground Burning’ and a new 4K restoration For the song “O Sangue” (“Blood” by Pedro Costa). All four films are shown at the 60th New York Film Festival, which runs from September 30 to October 16.
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