Sunday, January 24, 2010

Serge Gainsbourg- Vie Héroïque

Already being called the French film of 2010, Serge Gainsbourg- Vie Héroïque, the biopic of the man whom many consider to be one of France's all-time greatest singer/songwriters, was released last week in France.

Starting with his childhood as a Jewish boy growing up in Nazi-occupied Paris, the film goes on to tell the story of his career, from struggling painter to one of the country's biggest rock star bad boys.

I can only imagine how many later musicians have been inspired by the life of this cult French icon. From his hard-drinking lifestyle to his well-publicised love life, which included relationships with the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birken, Serge Gainsbourg's life reads like a manual on how to really do the whole sex, drugs, and rock and roll thing (particularly the sex bit...).

The film has been dedicated to Lucy Gordon, the young English actress who played Jane Birkin in the film, and who committed suicide in her apartment in Paris, shortly after filming finished.

10 comments:

Gainsbourg Fan said...

Great post! I haven't seen the film yet b/c I live in the States, but just wanted to let you know about the fan blog that I started to cover all the news about the release internationally:) We have all sorts of news, interviews, behind the scenes video, etc. Just wanted to reach out to say hi and let you know about it. Hope you'll check it out! Cheers:D

Adam - http://www.gainsbourgfilm.com

The Duchess said...

Hi Adam,
Thanks for stopping by. I've just visited your site, as should any Gainsbourg fan. It's very cool!
I'm hoping to see the film this week, and I'll let you know what I thought of it. Hope you get to see it soon!

Unknown said...

So what do you think of that period of (what I consider)weirdness, with Serge singing with his daughter, Charlotte? Should we value his musical contributions less if incest was in fact involved? Wonder if the movie will address that. Makes me wonder the same thing about Polanksi, the guy Frederic Mittereand found it necessary to vigorously defend.

I haven't seen a movie for decades--or so it feels. To be frank, if I could choose, I would really like to see that Cannes-approved documentary about the world of wine, Mondovino. It's supposed to be absorbing--and not over-filled with arch winespeak. I am currently reading the book Liquid Memory, writing by the passionate, erudite and energetic director of the film. I decided to get it after reading a rave review in the NYT book review.

The Duchess said...

Hi Tammy,
Yes, definitely some parts of his life that will be interesting to see how they are portrayed in the film.

And apparently the director tried to get Charlotte, Gainsbourg's daughter, to play her father in the film... or at least I think I read that somewhere... That would have been a bit strange.

The Liquid Memory book sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out.

Annette (Liquid French blog) said...

Great post. I look forward to seeing this film when it is available where I live.

Love the blog.

The Duchess said...

Hi Vivianne,
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you get to see the film soon!

Unknown said...

Right now, there doesn't appear to be plans to have the movie come out in the US so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. As a Gainsbourg-baby I would love to see the movie.
Elaeudanla Teiteia
;-)

The Duchess said...

Love that one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE2TDP0-JGQ

Betty Carlson said...

My youngest daughter saw it and thought it was a bit strange, but very good and worth seeing. I haven't got to the movies in ages...I should try for this one though.

Unknown said...

Ah ah... so did my parents (and lots of other parents at the time... I had 5 Laetitia in CP class).