A tender portrait of the inner world of a jazz genius as he learns that sometimes an intermission is part of the music.

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 film portrays the inner life of a troubled musical genius as he struggles to learn that sometimes an intermission is part of the music.

The film won the Silver Bear for Best Director at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival.