Köln 75 is a 2025 German music-drama film written and directed by Ido Fluk, a director who is entirely new to me and does not have much of a track-record (or indeed a Wikipedia page). The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2025 and was released in Germany shortly thereafter but was not released in the UK until last Friday, 5 June.

The film is based on the early years of real-life German concert promoter Vera Brandes (Mala Emde). At the age of just sixteen she met jazz-legend Ronnie Scott (Daniel Betts) who was playing a concert in Köln, or Cologne as it is known to the English-speaking world. Scott asked her to organise a German tour for his trio and so, whilst still officially at school, she began her life as a concert promoter.  

A year or so later she saw Keith Jarrett (John Magaro) in concert playing his free-jazz and decided on the spot that she would bring him to play a concert in Köln. In order to achieve this, she had to navigate a path through many obstacles, including an overbearing father (who wanted her to become a dentist), an obnoxious brother (who was jealous of her success), and a heap of venue managers who just didn’t want to know. In the end it was agreed that the concert would go ahead at 11pm in the 1300 seat Köln Opera House, immediately following a performance of an opera, but only after Brandes had made a significant downpayment, which she had to borrow. On the day, there were more obstacles placed in her way and the concert almost did not happen, but somehow she overcame the difficulties, and Jarrett played.

All of this is true. Not only did he play, but the concert was recorded and released on a double-album, going on to become both the best-selling solo album in jazz history and the best-selling piano album.

The film almost works, primarily because Emde plays the part with tremendous guts and enthusiasm. However, it is not really very interesting dramatically – more the material for an article in a Sunday supplement than a 115-minute film.

Köln 75 is unashamedly a feelgood film. It is straight from the heart, and you are on Vera’s side from the word go, although from time-to-time it does get rather self-indulgent. If you are a jazz fan, and especially if you are a fan of Jarrett, that just might make it interesting enough for you, although I suspect you might find a little of the ‘explanation’ somewhat condescending.