Tokyo Rockabilly

Johnny Jeana: Portrait of a Tokyo Rockabilly London-based director James Partridge’s latest project explores Japanese rockabilly star Johnny Jeana, who’s keeping 1950s Americana culture alive in Tokyo. The story of one man’s mission to keep the subculture alive and kicking in Japan. “I met Johnny in London as he meandered through throngs of tourists, impossible to ignore. He was dressed head-to-toe in black leather with an impressively groomed quiff, bare-chested despite the biting cold and strutting like the lovechild of James Dean and Elvis. “I had to follow this guy to Tokyo to find out more. When making the film, I wanted to create an honest depiction of Johnny’s devotion and immersion into Rockabilly style—a subculture totally removed from his generation and the current digital age. His style is a personal rebellion against societal norms and the film celebrates the determination of an individual with one great passion.”