“Everybody Digs Bill Evans”, interview with director Grant Gee and actor Anders Danielsen Lie

February 16, 2026

Grant Gee, director. Anders Danielsen Lie, actor. "Everybody Digs Bill Evans". Celebrating an iconic jazz pianist through a biopic with style and soul.

"Everybody Digs Bill Evans", interview with director Grant Gee and actor Anders Danielsen Lie Angelo Acerbi

Podcast | Download

Presented at the 76th Berlinale, “Everybody Digs Bill Evans” by Grant Gee brings to life the complex personality behind the legendary jazz pianist. It navigates into Evans’ disciplined artistry juxtaposed with his chaotic personal life, offering viewers a nuanced portrait of a man whose music continues to influence generations. The film highlights the enigmatic nature of Evans, when his story is as much about mystery as it is about mastery.

The Creative Approach to Portraying an Iconic Figure

“Everybody Digs Bill Evans” is a film that captures the essence of its subject through innovative cinematic techniques. The director’s stylistic choices—including daring framing and jazzy editing—mirror the improvisational spirit of jazz itself. The filmmaker aimed to evoke the fluidity and spontaneity of Evans’ music, creating a visual language that reflects his artistry. This approach lets audiences connect deeply with his character, underlining both the order and chaos that defined his life.

Understanding Bill Evans’ Complex Character and Artistic Legacy

The film explores the profound contradictions within Bill Evans—from his admirable sense of discipline to his struggles with addiction. Anders Danielsen Lie notes that Evans’ relationship with his substance use was nuanced; it was not driven by self-destruction but a form of neglect and disinterest in his own welfare. The project enriches viewers’ appreciation for Evans’ artistry, portraying him as a mysterious but deeply authentic individual. Ultimately, “Everybody Digs Bill Evans” invites audiences to experience the layered world of this legendary jazz musician, reaffirming that the film’s appeal lies in celebrating his enduring influence.

Plot

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.

Written by: Angelo Acerbi

Guest

Anders Danielsen Lie Grant Gee

Film

Everybody Digs Bill Evans

Festival

Berlinale

Rate it

Channel posts

Interview

Berlinale

“I understand your displeasure”, interview with director Kilian Armando Friedrich

February 18, 2026

"I Understand Your Displeasure" by Kilian Armando Friedrich sheds light on social inequality, exploitation, and the resilience of marginalized workers in Germany’s cleaning sector.