Tues. Oct. 21 I went to see Michel Gondry speak at the Hammer Museum. He was there to promote his book You’ll Like This Film Because Your In It. The book is inspired by his most recent film Be Kind Rewind. It discusses independent film, even at its most basic level of home productions. People love making movies, staring, and the reward of watching the finished product.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is my personal favorite movie. Charlie Kaufman’s script is amazing, Academy Award winning. It reinforces the old saying “It’s better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all”. I was able to get a copy of the script and once I read it I really appreciated Gondry’s work. I couldn’t believe he created such a visually stimulating story from those words. After this I became a big fan of Gondry’s work. In Science of Sleep I saw his love for stop animation and ingenuity.
When I think of his work, the word imagination comes to mind. He never lost his childhood imaginative thinking. Even while hearing him speak you could tell he hasn’t let his mind be restrained. He has a fun sense of humor with no reservations. Be Kind Rewind is playing pretend, you need your imagination to fill in the gaps.
The interview revealed his love for film. He spoke of hand processing film and the difference it can produce. There was a definite passion for the flicker of the projector and the quality picture of film. He uses tricks of the camera verses visual effects as much as possible because he believes it looks more honest.
Even with his actors he tries to get the most honest reactions possible. He discussed hiding a hose from Jack Black so he had to honestly look for it during each take. He encourages improvisation. At the end of Be Kind Rewind you see a neighborhood watch the film they created. Gondry made sure to film the audience the first time the film was screened to capture the honest reaction from the children. Watching this scene and seeing these faces in awe in the flickering light of the projector, you appreciate people’s love of movies, which is exactly what he wanted to express.
They showed a few music videos and he discussed his inspirations. In his videos the music is a major influence on the pacing of the action. As if he is visualizing the music. It’s as if he visually sees the music. Long continuous shots are a common theme in his videos that he felt helps keep things connected.
At the end the audience ask really great questions. One man asked if he used the same editors and what relationship he has with them. I thought it was a great question, and Gondry joked that the man asking was probably an editor. He doesn’t have a go to editor and likes to work with one that will stick to their own opinions. He said he did not get along with his editor on Eternal Sunshine very well but it worked out well in the end so he didn’t mind.
. Despite his thick accent I was able to get a glimpse into the mind of my favorite director. After the interview he signed copies of his book which sold out before I was able to get one. I had him sign my copy of my Eternal Sunshine script and he jokingly asked if he should forge Charlie’s name. I wanted to say something to him but knew I would go off like a crazy person so I kept my cool. It was an amazing experience. The Hammer Conversations are available as a podcast for free on iTunes. I really enjoy listening to them, especially since it’s so hard to get to the museum for the actual events. I highly suggest them. They are a couple months behind right now so Michele should be coming up shortly after the New Year.
