Sergio Mendez in the Key of Joy SBIFF 2020

Sergio Mendes in the Key of Joy reviewed by Zane Stull

Sergio Mendes in the Key of Joy is an incredibly engaging film about the Bossa Nova innovator, avid collaborator, and continuous source of inspiration to millions, Sergio Mendes. The film starts with Sergio talking about his collaboration with Common, a rapper, to make Bossa Nova Hip Hop. This was a great way to introduce how Sergio loves to collaborate with everyone and anyone. It also introduces a theme that we will be present again and again, Sergio’s love for music, all music, and his love for those who love music. I was surprised at how long Sergio has been making music and how many albums he has produced. But after seeing Sergio’s love of music and interest in innovation and new forms of music, his productivity, popularity and longevity is easy to understand  I knew some of the songs before watching the film but you don’t have to know Sergio’s music to enjoy his warm personality and creative drive.

The film emphasizes how many people’s lives have been affected by Sergio, highlighted by a surprise cameo by Harrison Ford. He is not in the movie to tell a story about Star Wars or another acting role, but to relate the story of how as a working carpenter and aspiring actor, he built the backyard music studio for Sergio. This chance meeting benefitted both men and they show their continuing affection for each other decades after. The story of how Harrison got the job is an example of what Sergio sees as the recurring them of his life, serendipity.

The film tells Sergio’s story more or less chronologically from his birth in Niteroi, a town across the bay from Rio de Janiero, to the production and release of his latest album. Throughout the film and Sergio himself emphasize all of the moments of serendipity that have enabled him to become who and what he is. Sergio knows he has had at least his fair share of luck, but the film emphasizes that his dedication, desire and spirit led him to be prepared to take advantage of these unexpected opportunities and perform. Everyone interviewed in the film expresses heartfelt admiration and appreciation of Sergio as much for his sunny joyful attitude and caring friendship as for his musical accomplishments and collaborative support.

The film closely charts the highlights of his early music career and also covers his more recent collaborations with artists as diverse as Common, Will.i.am and Stevie Wonder and up and coming Brazilian and Colombian artists. He also wrote the music for one of my favorite animated films, Rio, and its sequel. The film tells his story with a lot of direct commentary by Sergio himself, sometimes revisiting places that were important in his life, interviews with his friends, contemporaries and musical collaborators, archival video of early performances and documentary footage of recent projects.

The film’s premiere was held on the first Saturday night of SBIFF at the Lobero theater. In addition to the film, the director and Sergio had a Q&A session with the audience. Then capping off a memorable special night, Sergio and his current band perform a selection of his most iconic songs. And they sounded great! The audience loved it all. I strongly recommend this film.