Srivastava's Tokyo Jazz Doc Heads to India Bazaar

A new feature documentary focused on Tokyo's jazz scene is set to be presented at the WAVES Film Bazaar in Goa.

Tanmay Srivastava directs the film, titled Tokyo in 33 RPM. The project is produced by Synergy Pictures U.K. and Double Drama Productions. It explores the history of jazz in Japan and the modern interpretations offered by a younger generation of artists. The market will take place alongside the International Film Festival of India.

The documentary follows musicians, café operators, and record collectors. It specifically features the jazz kissa, establishments where listening to vinyl records is the primary activity. Hino Kenji, a bassist who performs as Jino and is the son of trumpeter Hino Terumasa, appears in the film. Lucas Minoru Poulshock, known as Mino, is also featured. He performs music, hosts an Apple Music podcast, and runs a listening bar. Historian and collector Hori Toru provides additional context.

The crew visited specific venues in Tokyo for the narrative. Masako, a jazz café in Shimokitazawa, is now in its third generation of operation. Nakata Kohei founded No Room for Squares, which is also included. The Gentle Forest Jazz Band and GCR Orchestra are among the musical acts shown. These subjects illustrate how the genre established itself in Japan and continues to evolve.

Srivastava stated that the project originated from his interest in the focused listening culture of small music spaces and the experimentation within the city. He aimed to link these two elements in a single work. "That's the Tokyo I found most interesting," he said. The team has completed an initial filming trip and has assembled a short-form version and a teaser from that footage.

The final shoot is scheduled for Tokyo from April 1 to April 22, 2027. The finished feature is targeted for a June release. Producers are preparing for a possible international festival debut in that year. Sky Cheema and Jackson McKeever share producing duties with Srivastava. Poulshock, Paul Adrian, and Jade Kurian serve as executive producers. McKeever's company Lucky 18 is a production partner, and Latakoo, a technology firm based in Austin, Texas, is a production and technology partner.

Cheema noted that the film's appeal does not require prior knowledge of jazz from the audience. He pointed to the dedication of individuals who have devoted their lives to performing or creating spaces for the music. "What matters is how much of themselves they've put into it," he said.