Kansas City

The events unfold in the afternoon leading up to a major election in Kansas City. The era is marked by entrenched political machines and organized crime intersecting with jazz culture. The setting uses real locations and social dynamics of the time to frame a tense, crime-driven narrative.

Set in Kansas City on the eve of the 1934 Democratic primary, the film weaves between the Hey Hey Club's jazz performances and the city's political machinations. The Hey Hey Club is a neon-lit jazz club and casino run by the powerful Seldom Seen, a hub for crime and social life. The story also travels to the Stilton mansion, showing the city's upper-class world entangled in a tense political climate.

⚖️ Power

Political power and the corruption of machine politics shape the lives of our characters. The film juxtaposes the street-level crimes with the larger machinery that can sway elections and control outcomes. Characters navigate loyalty, coercion, and the price of ambition in a city where influence runs through every layer of society. The narrative explores how power can be both a shield and a weapon.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal threads through personal relationships and political alliances. Blondie’s desperate bid to free Johnny drives a dangerous rift between lovers and strangers alike. Carolyn’s discovery of Blondie’s devotion complicates trust as they form a fragile bond while on the run. The story asks who can be trusted when survival overrides loyalty.

🎷 Jazz & Crime

Jazz music frames the film’s mood, providing a soundtrack to the city’s nightlife and underworld. The Hey Hey Club’s performances intercut with the plot emphasize how art and crime intersect in this milieu. The music scene acts as both a cultural hub and a backdrop to the criminals’ schemes. The tension between entertainment and danger drives the narrative forward.