LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN

LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN (KAPIYI AÇIK BIRAK), 2021
Turkey, USA | HDD, Black & White, Color, 64’ | Turkish
Director: Ümran Safter

This documentary is about the brothers Nesuhi and Ahmet Ergetün and their interest in and love of jazz. In the 1930s and 40s when racial discrimination was rampant, the Ertegün brothers convinced their father, the then Ambassador of Turkey to the USA, to regularly host performances by Black jazz artists at the embassy. The film also follows the story of Atlantic Records which was founded later by the brother and has an important place in the world’s music history. Leave The Door Open takes jazz lovers on a journey back in time through interviews and previously unpublished archival footage.