Official Trailer for ‘Mr. Jimmy’ Documentary About Japan’s Jimmy Page
by Alex Billington
August 16, 2023
Source: YouTube
“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,” and also The Firm’s “Midnight Moonlight,” both performed by Sakurai. Surrounding these extraordinary Page & Zeppelin tracks is a bevy of blues and rock n’ roll recordings by legendary artists including Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush. This looks totally rad!! I dig it – what a story.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Peter Michael Dowd’s doc Mr. Jimmy, direct from YouTube:
In snowbound Tokamachi, Japan, teenaged Akio Sakurai took refuge in his room, escaping to another world with a pair of headphones and a pile of Led Zeppelin records. Moving to Tokyo, Akio worked as a kimono salesman by day, and by night became “Mr. Jimmy,” adopting the guitar chops and persona of Jimmy Page. For 30 years, Akio recreated vintage Zeppelin concerts note-for-note in small Tokyo clubs, until the real Jimmy Page stopped by one night, and Akio’s life changed forever. Inspired by Mr. Page’s ovation, Akio quits his “salary man” job, leaving behind his family to move to Los Angeles and join “Led Zepagain.” Cultures clash, and Akio’s idyllic vision of America meets with reality. Until Jason Bonham (son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham) calls and invites Akio to audition, and later join his touring show “Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening.” Mr. Jimmy is directed and produced by the doc filmmaker Peter Michael Dowd, making his first feature doc after the short The King of Size previously. Executive produced by Paula Dowd. This initially premiered at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival years ago. Abramorama will debut Mr. Jimmy in select theaters worldwide starting September 1st, 2023 coming up.
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