Full Description
Johnny & Jones (Max Kannewasser and Nol van Wesel) were a popular singing duo in Amsterdam in the 1940s. In September 1943 they were interned in Westerbork, yet in July 1944 they recorded several songs in Amsterdam. Whether their 1944 recordings were clandestine or made with the consent of the camp commander is unknown. They performed in the camps, and died in Bergen Belsen in 1945. This pitch-perfect documentary interweaves the story of the duo with the making of a modern opera based on their lives by Dutch composer Theo Loevendie. JOHNNY & JONES features rich archival footage and recordings of these pioneers of European swing.
Filmmaker Bio(s)
Hans Hylkema (b. 1945) graduated from the Dutch Film Academy in 1967. After working as cameraman for several years, he made his directing debut in1970. Hylkema has directed a large number of productions during his 35 year career, his work includes both documentary and feature films. He is chairman of the Dutch director’s guild.
