Melody (1971)
28m
Running Time
December 22, 1971Release Date
Plot.
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.
Where to Watch.
Subs
Currently Melody is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: INA madelen Amazon Channel
Streaming in:🇫🇷 France
Cast & Crew.
Jane Birkin
Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
L'homme
Jean-Christophe Averty
Director
Josette Verrier
Costume Design
Jean-Claude Vannier
Composer
Jacques Duhamel
Cinematographer
Daniel Durand
Sound
Christiane Coutel
Editor
Gérard Drolet
ProductionDesigner
Raymond Nègre
ProductionDesigner
Annie Coupez
Makeup Artist
Nicole Dalence
Hairstylist
René Rigobert
Makeup Artist
Media.
Details.
Wiki.
Melody is a 1971 film directed by Jean-Christophe Averty, and takes up the story of Serge Gainsbourg's Melody Nelson's Story album. It is a half-way film between a music video and a musical, in psychedelic settings.Jean-Christophe Averty makes video inlays of Jane and Serge, superimposed on paintings by Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, Paul Delvaux and Douanier Rousseau.