KÖLN75

The film “KÖLN 75” tells the stirring and true story of the rebellious 18-year-old Vera Brandes (Mala Emde), who confidently and passionately puts everything on the line to realize her dream. Against the wishes of her conservative parents, she books the Cologne Opera House at her own risk to bring Keith Jarrett (John Magaro) to Cologne for a concert in January 1975. She doesn’t know it yet, but this improvised lesson at the piano, which threatens to fail until the very end, is immortalized on record and regarded by many as one of the most popular works of art of the 20th century: Keith Jarrett’s “The Köln Concert”.

The record release “The Köln Concert” became the most successful solo jazz release of all time with over 4 million copies sold. Director and author Ido Fluk was inspired by the true events for “KÖLN 75” and tells the incredible story behind it. At the center is Vera Brandes, a young, determined and emancipated woman who asserts herself in a male-dominated society. Mala Emde embodies her brilliantly as a passionate music lover and rebel who unwaveringly goes her own way in the turbulent seventies. She is joined by John Magaro as Keith Jarrett and the German stars Alexander Scheer, Ulrich Tukur, Jördis Triebel and Susanne Wolff.

“KÖLN 75” celebrates its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. German Film Award nominations 2025: best female lead (Mala Emde), best editing (Anja Siemens), best feature film, etc.