Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary!
by Alex Billington
July 19, 2026
Source: YouTube
“Sometimes an intermission is part of the music.” Modern Films UK has revealed the first official trailer for an indie drama titled Everybody Digs Bill Evans, a musician biopic about jazz maestro Bill Evans. This first premiered at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, with stops at the Dublin and Karlovy Vary Film Festivals as well. Norwegian actor Anders Danielsen Lie stars as American jazz pianist Bill Evans, best known for his iconic “Sunday at the Village Vanguard” live album created in 1961. They also eventually released an album called “Everybody Digs Bill Evans” which is where the title of this film is from. Legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans forms his perfect trio, recording 2 groundbreaking albums. When his brilliant young bassist Scott LaFaro dies tragically, Evans is devastated. The story follows Evans’ journey to overcome grief and return to music – cutting between past & present in this dynamic B&W film from director Grant Gee. The cast features Anders as Bill, plus Bill Pullman, Laurie Metcalf, Barry Ward, & Valene Kane. The film really isn’t really about jazz, it’s about grief and how much it can torture a great artist. Have a look. 🎶
Here’s the first official UK trailer for Grant Gee’s film Everybody Digs Bill Evans, from YouTube:
Via Berlinale: “New York, June 1961. Legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans has found his musical voice and created the perfect trio, including bass player Scott LaFaro, his musical soulmate. A residency at New York’s Village Vanguard culminates in the live taping of two of the greatest jazz records of all time in one day. Only a few days later, LaFaro dies tragically in a car crash. Numb with grief, Evans stops playing for the first time since his childhood. This is the story of what happened next for one of the most influential and gifted figures in 20th century music. Cutting between Evans’ present and future, his sobriety and intoxication, and his relationships with his family and on/off girlfriend, who shares his taste in music and hard drugs, the B&W film portrays the inner life of a troubled musical genius as he struggles to learn that sometimes an intermission is part of the music.” Everybody Digs Bill Evans is a film directed by English filmmaker Grant Gee, director of the films Meeting People Is Easy, Joy Division, Patience, Innocence of Memories, Judith, The Gold Machine, and tons of other music videos previously. The screenplay is by Mark O’Halloran; based on the book titled “Intermission” by Owen Martell. Produced by Alan Maher and Janine Marmot. This initially premiered at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival earlier this year. Grant Gee’s Everybody Digs Bill Evans opens in UK cinemas starting September 11th, 2026. No US release date yet – stay tuned.
