They Shot the Piano Player

26th TIDF: Greek Premiere

A true gift to music or cinema enthusiasts, They Shot the Piano Player – in which Oscar-winner Fernando Trueba meets Javier Mariscal following Chico & Rita – is nothing less than a feast for the senses. But simultaneously, it is also so much more; a (beautifully) animated documentary about the birth of bossa nova and the craze over it, a mystery movie about the lost traces of a great, yet forgotten musician, Tenório Jr, as well as a political film about the dark pages in South America’s history. Having a music journalist (borrowing Jeff Goldblum’s voice) as the driving force, the film unfolds a multi-layered story with vivid colors, unforgettable melodies, and masterful directorial finesse, about an era that left a lasting impression on the world, a music that turned into a legend and a piano virtuoso whose life was unfortunately cut short.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal

Script: Fernando Trueba

Editing: Arnau Quiles Pascuai

Sound: Eduardo G. Castro

Music: Vincius De Moraes, Tom Jobim, João Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Paulo Moura, João Donato, Mutinho, Aretha Franklin

Actors: With the voices of: Jeff Goldblum, Tony Ramos, Abel Ayala, Roberta Wallach

Production: Fernando Trueba P.C.

Producers: Cristina Huete, Serge Laloand, Sophie Cabon, Bruno Felix, Janneke van der Kerkhof, Femke Wolling, Humberto Santana

Co-production: Les Films d’Ici, Submarine, Animanostra

Co-producers: Serge Lalou, Sophie Cabon, Bruno Felix, Janneke Van Der Kerkhof, Femke Wolling, Humberto Santana

Executive producer: Nano Arrieta, Ulrik Frémont, Fabien Westerhof, Juan Carlos Concha

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Spain, France

Production Year: 2023

Duration: 104'

Contact: Film Constellation