'Django' finds guitar virtuoso Django Reinhardt in WWII

Methodically mounting an indictment of the Nazis' treatment of Romani as well as the Third Reich's concept of artistic purity in music, "Django" dramatizes the life of the great jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt from June 1943 to May 1945. The Nazis recognize Reinhardt's musical genius and want him to entertain and build the morale of soldiers in Berlin.

Django manages to avoid that trip but later must play a concert at Goebbels' command. Enforcing their concept of art, Django is warned that his celebrated "hot jazz" is totally forbidden. Swing must comprise less than twenty percent of his show, tapping feet during solos is forbidden, and no solo can last more than five minutes. Friends warn him to escape from Paris, even though Reinhardt asserts that he's not political. "I just play music," he says. 

Events will redefine his assertion. as Nazi action against Gypsies, as they're called here, escalates. Soon the Romani must occupy specified, restricted areas as they are also sent to concentration camps. Waiting on Lake Geneva, irritated with delays, Reinhardt plots an escape to the Switzerland he can see as an elusive sanctuary. 

Director Étienne Comar adapts Alexis Salatko's 2013 novel with a meditative, understated approach. Comar and Salatko co-wrote the screenplay, with allusions to other elements of Reinhardt's life, including his having played with jazz greats Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter. In several scenes, Django and his Quintette play at length, providing a taste of the thrilling music the Nazis hope to suppress. Complementing this restrained presentation, as Reinhardt, Reda Ketab maintains a wary, insouciant attitude during the increasing crisis, even as he performs spectacularly. The low-key, languorous pace suits the subject matter if viewers can settle in to a fictionalized story, but one that reminds us of the Romani massacres. The concluding camera's zoom out on a wall of Romani victims concludes "Django" with a gut-wrenching reminder of the massive atrocities.

In French with English subtitles, "Django" screens at Webster University's Winifred Moore auditorium Friday, January 19 through Sunday, January 21 at 7:30 each evening. For more information, you may call 314-968-7487 or on the web at: Webster.edu/filmseries.