The upcoming biographical film Everybody Digs Bill Evans is gaining strong momentum across international markets after attracting widespread interest from distributors throughout Europe. Directed by filmmaker Grant Gee, the film recently premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, where it earned top recognition for its direction.
The movie stars Anders Danielsen Lie in the role of iconic jazz pianist Bill Evans, delivering a performance that explores a deeply emotional chapter of the musician’s life. Supporting roles include Bill Pullman and Laurie Metcalf, who portray Evans’ parents.
International sales agency Mister Smith Entertainment has successfully closed multiple distribution agreements across Europe. The film will be released in France Spain Italy Benelux and Scandinavia through regional distributors, while the United Kingdom and Ireland rights had already been secured earlier.
Beyond Europe, the film has also been picked up in several global territories including South Korea the Middle East Singapore Greece and parts of Eastern Europe, highlighting its broad international appeal.
The narrative focuses on a pivotal moment in 1961 when Evans experienced a devastating personal loss following the death of his close collaborator and bassist Scott LaFaro. This tragedy led him to step away from performing and retreat into isolation while battling personal struggles including addiction.
The film presents a unique storytelling approach, blending timelines from different decades. Earlier scenes are captured in black and white to reflect the emotional intensity of the 1960s period, while later years are portrayed in vivid color, showcasing the evolution of Evans’ life and career.
This project marks the feature film debut of Grant Gee, known previously for his acclaimed music documentaries. The screenplay was co-written with Mark O’Halloran, inspired by literary work exploring similar themes. Production was handled by Hot Property Films alongside Cowtown Pictures.
While the film continues to expand its international reach, it is yet to finalize a distribution partner in the United States. Efforts are ongoing to secure a deal for the North American market.
