Private Project

Big Rude Jake: Pursuing the Pearl of Great Price

This film is a unique documentary/biography that highlights the roots, coming of age, and subsequent rise to fame of legendary jazz performer, Big Rude Jake. It is a film made in segments that highlight Jake's iconoclastic personal, social, and political views as well as portray Jake as a thoughtful, intelligent man whose one true love, music, has always been the impetus and the ultimate idée fixe that has propelled him above all others: the Pearl of Great Price.

  • Kyree Vibrant
    Director
  • Kyree Vibrant
    Writer
  • Jake Hiebert
    Writer
  • Kyree Vibrant
    Producer
  • Jake Hiebert
    Producer
  • Jake Hiebert
    Key Cast
    "Big Rude Jake"
  • Adryin Annett
    Key Cast
    "The Pearl"
  • Margaret Stowe
    Key Cast
    "The Junkie"
  • Sachna Kilner
    Key Cast
    "The Ex"
  • Mimi Whalen
    Key Cast
    "Shopping Assistant"
  • Eva Riniitze
    Editor
  • James Griffith
    Director of Photography
    Home In Time (2019) the Shrine (2010)
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Feature, Other
  • Genres:
    Musical Performance, Art Film, Biography, Drama
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 19 minutes 15 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 16, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    300 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital video
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Munich Music Video Awards
    Munich
    Germany
    October 23, 2023
    German
    Best Feature Film (Music)
  • International Music Video Awards
    Budapest
    Hungary
    September 6, 2023
    European Premiere
    Best Musical Film (Feature)
  • WRPN Woman's International Film Festival
    Delaware
    United States
    May 17, 2024
    US Premiere
    Winner - Best Zero Budget Feature
Distribution Information
  • Hiltz (Myles Shane)
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Kyree Vibrant

Director, Filmmaker, Editor, Singer, Songwriter and creative force of nature, Kyree Vibrant has been building her large and impressive body of work since coming to Toronto in 1990. Kyree not only writes, directs and edits film but she has also made countless music videos for many musical artists and for her own progressive rock band, Half Past Four. She has performed her music onstage in clubs and festivals internationally using her own custom made videos to accompany her energetic live shows. She has produced, written, and released 5 independent albums with her various bands and solo projects. Kyree's first short film "Meeting Rock" (2002) was featured in several international film festivals. Big Rude Jake: Pursuing the Pearl of Great Price is Kyree's first feature.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I wanted to capture the nature of Jake's shows and expand upon his natural storytelling and segues between songs to create a meaningful glimpse into his analytical and philosophical mind. We collaborated on every part of this film. He worked hard on the text and poetic nuances, and we expressed it with live performances, animation, and across many locations all on a micro-budget (approximately $300). I want the world to see it and enjoy his great talent. It's even more poignant now because Jake lost his life to cancer a year ago. Completing it is my parting gift to him.