From Jazz to Jackboots, directed by Justin Stephenson
JANUARY 2025
"…they loathe art, the product of a yearning for life, because that, too, evades control." Josef Skvorecky
"From Jazz to Jackboots" is an experimental animated dance film exploring the Nazi regime's methodical censorship of jazz through their "10 Rules and Regulations for Dance Bands." The film reimagines itself through progressively restricted variations of jazz standard, "Minnie the Moocher," transitioning from the freeform of expressionist painting and collage to statuesque perfection. Through sophisticated animation techniques and meticulous visual design, the work unfolds as simultaneously joyful, lyrical, ethereal, surgical, horrific and funereal—a timely reminder that the battle between artistic expression and authoritarian control remains urgently relevant today.” Justin Stephenson
Credits
Andrew Burashko, creator/writer/musical director/executive producer
Justin Stephenson, director/animator
Guillaume Côté, choreographer
Kelly Shaw, dancer
Evan Webb, dancer
Minnie the Moocher by Cab Calloway
arranged by Andrew Burashko and Jim McGrath
Jim McGrath, conductor
Andrew Burashko, piano
William Carn, trombone
Drew Comstock, cello
Terri Croft, violin
Davide diRenzo, drums
Andrew Downing, double bass
John Johnson, alto sax
Larry Larson, trumpet
Kevin Turcotte, trumpet
Perry White, tenor sax
Tony Zorzi, guitar
Artists
Festival Screenings
San Souci Festival (2025)
Santa Fe International Film Festival (2025)
Charlotte Film Festival (2025)
Tampa Animation Festival (2025) - WINNER for BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM
Annapolis Film Festival (2026) - SPECIAL JURY PRIZE for CREATIVE SOCIAL COMMENTARY
Across The Globe Film Festival (2026)
American Documentary & Animation Festival (2026)
Phoenix Film Festival (2026)
FOCUS Wales Film Festival (2026) - FINALIST for BEST ANIMATION
New York City Independent Film Festival - WINNER for BEST ARTHOUSE FILM