Archive of films Big Ben/Ben Webster in Europe / Big Ben/Ben Webster in Europe
Netherlands
1967, 31 min
Section:
Johan van der Keuken
Year: 2002
This medium-length film is a portrait of American saxophonist Ben Webster, a musical genius for whom Amsterdam became a second home at the end of the sixties. In Van der Keuken’s conception, he is seen as a person of contradictions, displaying both violent tendencies and gentility, liberal-mindedness and torment.
Synopsis
A medium-length documentary portrait of American saxophonist Ben Webster, a brilliant talent for whom Amsterdam became a second home at the end of the 1960s. Webster, a living legend of jazz and blues, was born in Kansas City in 1909; during the 1930s he played alongside truly great musicians, and also featured in Duke Ellington’s band. Through Keuken’s eyes he is seen as a contradictory figure, emanating both violence and refinement, broad-mindedness and suffering. Director Johan van der Keuken has succeeded in transferring to the film reel a bond uniting a musical genius and his music, looking deep inside the persona of an artist who died six years later.
About the film
Color, 16 mm
Section: | Johan van der Keuken |
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Director: | Johan van der Keuken |
Screenplay: | Johan van der Keuken |
Dir. of Photography: | Johan van der Keuken |
Editor: | Johan van der Keuken, Ruud Bernard |
Production: | Lucid Eye Films |