A work in constant progress (and occasional regress).
Release Date:
December 22, 1971
Original Title:
Melody
Genres:
Music | Romance
Production Countries:
France
Ratings / Certifications:
N/A
Runtime: 28
Although Gainsbourg and Birkin had appeared in a string of films since their magnetic collision in Pierre Grimblat’s Slogan, Melody was a bit of diversion from their collaborations since it’s a series of interwoven videos inspired by the Gainsbourgalbum. For '71 it’s a novel concept to bring visual life to an LP, but even more surprising are the short film’s amazing visuals that director Averty crafted using a wealth of video filters, overlays, camera movements and chroma key effects. Averty applies these in tandem with the increasing tone of Gainsbourg’s songs, which more or less chronicle an older man's affair with a young girl. Each song is comprised of steady, sometimes brooding poetic delivery, with refrains timed to the phrase repeats of each song, while Alan Parker’s buzzing guitar accompanies and wiggles around Gainsbourg’s resonant voice. The bass is fat and groovy, the drums easy but steady, and the periodic use of strings or rich vibrato makes this short a sultry little gem.
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Costume Design:
Josette Verrier
Director:
Jean-Christophe Averty
Director of Photography:
Jacques Duhamel
Editor:
Christiane Coutel
Hairstylist:
Nicole Dalence
Makeup Artist:
Annie Coupez
René Rigobert
Original Music Composer:
Serge Gainsbourg
Jean-Claude Vannier
Production Design:
Gérard Drolet
Raymond Nègre
Sound:
Daniel Durand
Writer:
Serge Gainsbourg
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