Michel Petrucciani

An enlightening film portrait of the pianist-phenomenon of jazz, Michel Petrucciani, who made history for his electrical playing, his supernaturally fast right hand and his height of just 90 cm. “I hate losing time” Petrucciani states boldly at the start of the documentary; we then see him build a legendary career in a life that was frenetic and extreme until his death, at the age of 36 in New York. From his famous improvisations and his magical compositions, to his passion for food, women, wine and drugs, Michael Radford, director of “Il Postino”, uses plenty of archival footage of Petrucciani’s personal moments and interviews with the people closest to him, to sketch the story of a perfectionist musician. And we become witness to the enchanted life of a person who gained a few minutes of life each time his fingers touched the keys.

Michel Petrucciani by NyxtesPremieras

Director: Michael Radford

Screenwriter: Michael Radford

DoP: Sophie Maintigneux

Editor: Yves Deschamps

Featuring: Alexandre Petrucciani, Aldo Romano, Frank Cassenti, Joe Lovano

Country:  France, Germany, Italy

Year: 2011

Running Time: 102’

Language: English, French