IDFA 2013
As Time Goes By in Shanghai
Uli Gaulke
Germany, Netherlands
2013
90 min
European Premiere
"People want to see us, because our faces reflect the good old days," says a member of the Peace Hotel Jazz Band. Hailing from Shanghai, the band is the oldest of its kind in the world, and the band members – ranging in age from 65 to 93 – all have their own story. Now they're being invited to perform at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. The gig will be the highlight of their careers, but they seem to take it in stride. They do enlist young female singer Jasmine for the occasion, and shamelessly flirt with her. At a leisurely pace and without any voiceover interruption, we watch as they prepare for their trip to Europe and the performance. In between, the musicians talk about their lives in China during the Japanese occupation, the nationalists, the Americans and the Cultural Revolution. Their passion for music has protected them from the ravages of time, but it has also left its mark on them. And these old fellows aren't the least bit interested in making the switch to today's generation. They're respectable gentlemen, professional musicians – the kind of guys you can't help but hold dear to your heart.
Credits
Screening copy
Autlook Filmsales
Autlook Filmsales
World Sales
Autlook Filmsales
Autlook Filmsales
Director
Production
Co-production
CTM LEV Pictures
CTM LEV Pictures
Cinematography
Screenplay
Editing
Involved TV Channel
WDR
WDR