TMBTMB
TMBTMB

Track, discover and find where to watch TV shows and movies.

Discover

  • Movies
  • TV Shows
  • Browse
  • Topics

Account

  • Watchlist
  • Watched
  • Ratings

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Content Policy

© 2026 Movie Browser. All rights reserved.

Data provided by TMDB

Home
Browse
Watchlist
backdrop
backdrop
logo
A jazz fugitive hunts his legend-grandfather while the mob owns every note he refuses to play.
TMDB
60
IMDb
69

Passing Through (1977)

grittyrevolutionarysoulful

Overview

Drama

Eddie Warmack, an African American jazz musician, is released from prison for the killing of a white gangster. Not willing to play for the mobsters who control the music industry, including clubs and recording studios, Warmack searches for his mentor and grandfather, the legendary jazz musician Poppa Harris.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
jazzl.a. rebellion

Standout Aspects

Direction

Larry Clark's hypnotic, non-linear storytelling.

Cinematography

Mingus-blue shadows and smoke-drenched club interiors.

Score

Horace Tapscott's free jazz that IS the narrative.

Best for:Solo: Late night when you want to feel something raw.·Streaming: Dig up this buried L.A. Rebellion gem.·Rewatch: Unpack the visual jazz language on second listen.
Heads up:Violence: Prison flashbacks and mob brutality, brief but visceral.·Emotional: Legacy of erasure weighs heavy on Black artists.
Larry Clark

Director

Larry Clark

ReleasedAug 6, 1977
Runtime1h 45m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy

Top Cast

Nathaniel Taylor

Nathaniel Taylor

Warmack

Clarence Muse

Clarence Muse

Papa Harris

Mwako Cumbuka

Mwako Cumbuka

Ajaes

Cora Lee Day

Cora Lee Day

Oshun

Marla Gibbs

Marla Gibbs

Secretary

Ask about Passing Through

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Larry Clark shot this UCLA thesis film for under $30,000, smuggling equipment after hours.

Cultural

Part of the L.A. Rebellion movement that rejected Blaxploitation for experimental Black cinema—this is literally syllabus material.

Gallery

Reviews

No ratings yet

Start the discussionBe the first to post — spoiler-safe
Rate & reviewBe the first to weigh in

Recommended

The Young One movie poster (1960)
6.9

The Young One

Imperial Dreams movie poster (2014)
6.5

Imperial Dreams

Too Late Blues movie poster (1961)
6.4

Too Late Blues

The Unforgivable movie poster (2021)
7.4

The Unforgivable

O.G. movie poster (2018)
5.9

O.G.

El Chicano movie poster (2019)
6.6

El Chicano

Savage Streets movie poster (1984)
6.3

Savage Streets

Mob Town movie poster (2019)
6.4

Mob Town

Hounddog movie poster (2008)
6.4

Hounddog

Shadows movie poster (1960)
6.9

Shadows

Gigi & Nate movie poster (2022)
7.7

Gigi & Nate

The Trials of Cate McCall movie poster (2013)
6.4

The Trials of Cate McCall

Hardball movie poster (2001)
6.5

Hardball

The Visit movie poster (1964)
7.2

The Visit

Babylon movie poster (1980)
6.9

Babylon

More Like This

The Color Purple movie poster (1985)
7.7

The Color Purple

You, the Living movie poster (2007)
7.1

You, the Living

Shoot the Piano Player movie poster (1960)
7.2

Shoot the Piano Player

Ray movie poster (2004)
7.5

Ray

Köln 75 movie poster (2025)
7.1

Köln 75

Anatomy of a Murder movie poster (1959)
7.8

Anatomy of a Murder

The Cotton Club movie poster (1984)
6.5

The Cotton Club

Paris Je T'aime movie poster (2006)
6.8

Paris Je T'aime

Sweet and Lowdown movie poster (1999)
6.8

Sweet and Lowdown

'Round Midnight movie poster (1986)
7.1

'Round Midnight

Sharky's Machine movie poster (1981)
6.2

Sharky's Machine

Shadows movie poster (1960)
6.9

Shadows

Bird movie poster (1988)
6.9

Bird

The Glenn Miller Story movie poster (1954)
7.0

The Glenn Miller Story

Big Night movie poster (1996)
7.0

Big Night

Discussion

Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.

Discussion starters

View all comments →