In fascinating new documentary Mr Jimmy, the intricate and obsessive performances of Akio Sakurai showcase an unusual and ultimately moving talent
A Japanese salesman becomes obsessed with memorizing and recreating every flared trouser and fast-fingered movement of virtuoso Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Eventually he reaches his fifties and leaves behind his job, country, and family in order to pursue his passion in Los Angeles, where his beloved icon played a few unforgettable nights in the late 60s.
One could be forgiven for assuming that a documentary about Akio Sakurai would be a portrait of rock and roll cosplay at its most campy and madcap. Instead, Peter Michael Dowd’s film is a moving tribute to the purity and meticulousness of its subject’s quixotic quest.
A Japanese salesman becomes obsessed with memorizing and recreating every flared trouser and fast-fingered movement of virtuoso Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Eventually he reaches his fifties and leaves behind his job, country, and family in order to pursue his passion in Los Angeles, where his beloved icon played a few unforgettable nights in the late 60s.
One could be forgiven for assuming that a documentary about Akio Sakurai would be a portrait of rock and roll cosplay at its most campy and madcap. Instead, Peter Michael Dowd’s film is a moving tribute to the purity and meticulousness of its subject’s quixotic quest.
- 9/14/2023
- by Lauren Mechling
- The Guardian - Film News
The new documentary Mr. Jimmy tells the story of a Japanese kimono salesman named Akio Sakurai, who worships Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. For three decades, Sakurai has adopted the persona of “Mr. Jimmy,” playing guitar like Page and attempting note-for-note recreations of Led Zeppelin concerts in Tokyo clubs. After Page encouraged him, he moved to Los Angeles and joined a tribute act, Led Zepagain, to continue his idol worship. The picture, distributed worldwide by Abramorama, is in theaters now.
Filmmaker Peter Michael Dowd tells Rolling Stone he made the...
Filmmaker Peter Michael Dowd tells Rolling Stone he made the...
- 9/13/2023
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Everyone knows the definition of a tribute band. But is there a difference between that and a “revival” band? Whatever one chooses to call it, when is such a project a money-making exercise in nostalgia — and when is it a sincere, concerted (pun intended) effort to recreate and sustain a genre of music that suddenly feels on life support? And exactly how short were those sleeves on Jimmy Page’s open-chested jacket from 1973?
These and other questions are addressed and grappled with in Mr. Jimmy, Peter Michael Dowd’s weirdly...
These and other questions are addressed and grappled with in Mr. Jimmy, Peter Michael Dowd’s weirdly...
- 8/30/2023
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
"I just have to keep going down this road..." Abramorama has revealed an official trailer for a documentary film titled Mr. Jimmy, landing in theaters worldwide at the beginning of September. This is finally getting a proper release after first premiering at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival four years ago. Japanese rocker Akio Sakurai has dedicated his life to Jimmy Page. For 30 years he recreated vintage Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs, adopting the guitar chops and persona of Jimmy Page. Moving to L.A. to pursue his tribute dream, cultures clash and Akio's idyllic vision meets reality. Produced, directed, edited by Peter Michael Dowd who spent nearly 8 years and countless trips to Japan bringing Mr Jimmy’s story to life. With the approval of Led Zeppelin, the film features 30 of their songs as performed by Akio Sakurai. The film additionally includes Mr. Page's songwriting before Led Zeppelin, with the Yardbird's "White Summer,...
- 8/16/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
A new documentary titled Mr. Jimmy chronicles Japanese guitarist Akio Sakurai, who has dedicated his life to meticulously channeling Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page. In advance of its global theatrical release in September, Consequence is exclusively premiering the official trailer (watch below).
Mr. Jimmy will be distributed to theaters worldwide via Abramorama. The movie was produced, directed, and edited by Peter Michael Dowd, who followed Sakurai around for eight years. Not only has Sakurai mastered Page’s guitar playing, but also his fashion style and movements.
Dowd tells Consequence of a life-changing instance in the movie when Sakurai came face to face with the real Jimmy Page, as the Led Zeppelin icon stopped by one of his Tokyo club gigs.
“In the film you get to see the moment when Akio and Mr. Page come together face to face in a tiny Tokyo club,” Dowd begins. “It’s like Yo-Yo Ma meeting Bach.
Mr. Jimmy will be distributed to theaters worldwide via Abramorama. The movie was produced, directed, and edited by Peter Michael Dowd, who followed Sakurai around for eight years. Not only has Sakurai mastered Page’s guitar playing, but also his fashion style and movements.
Dowd tells Consequence of a life-changing instance in the movie when Sakurai came face to face with the real Jimmy Page, as the Led Zeppelin icon stopped by one of his Tokyo club gigs.
“In the film you get to see the moment when Akio and Mr. Page come together face to face in a tiny Tokyo club,” Dowd begins. “It’s like Yo-Yo Ma meeting Bach.
- 8/15/2023
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Music
A new documentary titled Mr. Jimmy chronicles Japanese guitarist Akio Sakurai, who has dedicated his life to meticulously channeling Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page. In advance of its global theatrical release in September, Consequence is exclusively premiering the official trailer (watch below).
Mr. Jimmy will be distributed to theaters worldwide via Abramorama. The movie was produced, directed, and edited by Peter Michael Dowd, who followed Sakurai around for eight years. Not only has Sakurai mastered Page’s guitar playing, but also his fashion style and movements.
Dowd tells Consequence of a life-changing instance in the movie when Sakurai came face to face with the real Jimmy Page, as the Led Zeppelin icon stopped by one of his Tokyo club gigs.
“In the film you get to see the moment when Akio and Mr. Page come together face to face in a tiny Tokyo club,” Dowd begins. “It’s like Yo-Yo Ma meeting Bach.
Mr. Jimmy will be distributed to theaters worldwide via Abramorama. The movie was produced, directed, and edited by Peter Michael Dowd, who followed Sakurai around for eight years. Not only has Sakurai mastered Page’s guitar playing, but also his fashion style and movements.
Dowd tells Consequence of a life-changing instance in the movie when Sakurai came face to face with the real Jimmy Page, as the Led Zeppelin icon stopped by one of his Tokyo club gigs.
“In the film you get to see the moment when Akio and Mr. Page come together face to face in a tiny Tokyo club,” Dowd begins. “It’s like Yo-Yo Ma meeting Bach.
- 8/15/2023
- by Spencer Kaufman
- Consequence - Film News
Exclusive: Abramorama has set worldwide release plans for Mr. Jimmy, a documentary it’s acquired on Japanese guitarist Akio Sakurai, who has dedicated his life to honoring the music of Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. The film directed, produced and edited by Peter Michael Dowd will hit theaters globally on September 1st, opening in the U.S. against the Denzel Washington-led The Equalizer 3, Vertical’s thriller The Good Mother starring Hilary Swank and Olivia Cooke, and Strand Releasing’s French-language climbing drama The Mountain.
Mr. Jimmy explores Sakurai’s dedicated work to mirror Page’s fashion style, instruments, sound, movements, and live performances for an act he’d eventually take around the globe to festivals including SXSW, the Buenos Aires Film Festival, the São Paolo Film Festival, and the Rotterdam Film Festival.
As a teenager in snowbound Tokamachi, Japan, Sakurai took refuge in his room, escaping to another...
Mr. Jimmy explores Sakurai’s dedicated work to mirror Page’s fashion style, instruments, sound, movements, and live performances for an act he’d eventually take around the globe to festivals including SXSW, the Buenos Aires Film Festival, the São Paolo Film Festival, and the Rotterdam Film Festival.
As a teenager in snowbound Tokamachi, Japan, Sakurai took refuge in his room, escaping to another...
- 8/11/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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