The vibrant, deeply layered, and often hidden jazz culture of Japan’s sprawling capital is set to receive a comprehensive cinematic exploration in the upcoming feature documentary “Tokyo in 33 RPM.” Spearheaded by director Tanmay Srivastava in collaboration with Synergy Pictures U.K., the project aims to bridge the historical roots of the genre in East Asia with the dynamic, forward-thinking innovations of a brand-new generation of local artists. As anticipation builds for the documentary’s presentation at the upcoming WAVES Film Bazaar—the bustling industry market running alongside the prestigious International Film Festival of India in Goa—the creative team has pulled back the curtain on the scope, subjects, and meticulous production timeline driving the international co-production forward.
“Tokyo in 33 RPM” is designed as an immersive journey that navigates the multifaceted dimensions of Japan’s jazz ecosystem. The narrative flows fluidly between Tokyo’s hardworking, gigging musicians, the dedicated proprietors who keep the city’s legendary jazz kissa alive, and the passionate record collectors who have meticulously chronicled, archived, and preserved the music for decades. These jazz kissa—intimate, specialized cafes historically built around the devout, silent listening of vinyl records on high-fidelity sound systems—represent a unique pillar of Japanese music culture. The documentary traces the fascinating historical trajectory of how jazz first took root in Japan following decades of cultural exchange, while simultaneously observing how contemporary artists are reshaping these traditional influences into modern sonic landscapes.
The documentary boasts a rich ensemble of on-camera subjects who embody both the legacy and the evolution of the scene. Among them is renowned bassist Hino Kenji, widely known by his moniker Jino. He carries a formidable musical pedigree as the son of legendary trumpeter Hino Terumasa, who stands as Japan’s most celebrated practitioner of the instrument. The film also features Lucas Minoru Poulshock, a multifaceted musician who goes by Mino and wears multiple hats within the cultural sphere as an Apple Music podcast host and the proprietor of a dedicated listening bar. Adding further historical depth to the project is Hori Toru, a respected historian and prolific record collector whose expertise grounds the documentary in decades of musical heritage.
The production crew’s itinerary also takes viewers off the beaten path to explore cherished community hubs. They drop in on Masako, a historic jazz cafe located in the trendy Shimokitazawa neighborhood that is now proudly managed by its third generation of proprietors, ensuring that the torch of tradition continues to burn brightly. Cameras also roll at No Room for Squares, an innovative venue founded by Nakata Kohei that represents the contemporary pulse of the scene. Furthermore, musical performances and cultural flavor are injected into the documentary through appearances by the Gentle Forest Jazz Band and the GCR Orchestra, providing a grand auditory scale that mirrors the diversity of Tokyo itself.
Reflecting on the unique energy that inspired the project, director Tanmay Srivastava shared his personal connection to the city’s nocturnal and acoustic rhythms. Tokyo is a metropolis that famously never truly slows down, yet it offers a striking contrast to its own hyper-paced exterior through these micro-communities. Srivastava noted that one can effortlessly step off a crowded, neon-lit street into a tiny, wood-paneled room where dozens of strangers have gathered for one singular, sacred purpose: to simply listen. Outside of those reverent spaces, however, he found musicians actively pushing jazz in completely radical, unexpected directions. The director explained that his primary ambition for the documentary was to bring these two seemingly disparate worlds together into a cohesive narrative, capturing the exact facet of Tokyo life that he found most compelling.
Substantial groundwork has already been laid for “Tokyo in 33 RPM.” A rigorous first round of principal photography has been successfully completed in Japan, providing the core footage that the editorial team has utilized to assemble an early short-form version of the project alongside a promotional teaser designed to introduce the film to international financiers and festival programmers. With the preliminary footage in hand, the production machine is now looking ahead to its final operational phase. The crew is scheduled to return to Tokyo for a comprehensive three-week final shoot running from April 1 to April 22, 2027, with the ultimate goal of achieving full post-production completion by June of that same year.
Behind the scenes, the film is backed by a robust coalition of producers and corporate partners. Tanmay Srivastava serves as a producer alongside Sky Cheema and Jackson McKeever. The leadership team is further bolstered by executive producers Lucas Minoru Poulshock, Paul Adrian, and Jade Kurian. Synergy Pictures U.K. and Double Drama Productions spearhead the venture as the primary production companies, while Jackson McKeever’s banner Lucky 18 participates as an official production partner. Adding cutting-edge technical infrastructure to the endeavor, Austin, Texas-based technology company Latakoo serves as the official production and technology partner, ensuring seamless digital workflows across international borders.
U.K.-based producer Sky Cheema emphasized that the appeal of the documentary extends far beyond niche music enthusiasts, noting that viewers do not require any prior academic or historical background in jazz to emotionally connect with the individuals featured on screen. Cheema pointed out that while some subjects have dedicated their entire lives to mastering their instruments, others have quietly built physical sanctuaries where patrons can experience audio properly. Ultimately, Cheema suggested that what truly resonates is the profound level of personal devotion these individuals have invested into their craft and communities, which remains the core takeaway the filmmakers hope audiences will absorb.
As the production team prepares for the final leg of filming in the spring of 2027, momentum continues to build around the project’s festival prospects. The creative team is actively positioning the feature documentary for a prominent international film festival premiere later in 2027, where it aims to introduce global audiences to the soulful, vinyl-spun, and endlessly inventive underbelly of Tokyo’s musical soul.
