Making Film
Press Interview
Trailers

During World War II era Japan, jazz was considered the music of the enemy.
Just as liquor was drunk in secret during Prohibition, jazz was played in
secret until the occupation forces allowed musicians to play without fear of
reprisals. They frequently played in U.S. military clubs, like the "Enlisted
Men's Club", the film's fictitious main locale. Scottish actor Peter Mullan
("Trainspotting") plays the club owner, Jim, a host to weary soldiers who
need a place to unwind. Conflict arises with Russell (Shae Whigham), a
bitter jazz prodigy who lost a brother in war, often at odds with band leader
Masato Hagiwara ("Cure, Chaos, Go"). Joe Odagiri ("Azumi") is a survivor of
the atomic devastation in Nagasaki, and Claude Maki ("Brother," "A Scene at
the Sea") plays the English speaking Kelly, a nisei (American-born
Japanese) who provides security at the club. Rounding out the cast is
perpetual villain Sho Aikawa ("Dead or Alive," "Blood Brothers") as a black
marketeer and popular singer/actress Aki Maeda ("Battle Royale").