Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool

Only iconic filmmaker Stanley Nelson could create a documentary that matches the artistry and dynamism of Miles Davis, who defined and embodied “cool” through his music, casual demeanor, and chiseled good looks. Featuring a voiceover from actor Carl Lumbly, who eerily captures Davis’s quintessential rasp, Birth of the Cool skillfully weaves together Davis’s classic jazz performances, rare recordings, archival photos, and interviews with Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, and Juliette Gréco to present a dimensional and complex portrait of an artist’s life. “[A] tantalizing portrait: rich, probing, mournful, romantic, triumphant, tragic, exhilarating, and blisteringly honest” (Owen Gleiberman, Variety). 

Come back on December 29 for a screening of Louis Malle’s Elevator to the Gallows, featuring an unforgettable Miles Davis score.