Melody (1971)
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.
Director: Jean-Christophe Averty
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Jane Birkin as Melody Nelson |
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Serge Gainsbourg as L'homme |
| Directing | Jean-Christophe Averty | Director |
| Sound | Jean-Claude Vannier | Original Music Composer |
| Art | Gérard Drolet | Production Design |
| Sound | Serge Gainsbourg | Original Music Composer |
| Costume & Make-Up | René Rigobert | Makeup Artist |
| Costume & Make-Up | Josette Verrier | Costume Design |
| Writing | Serge Gainsbourg | Writer |
| Sound | Daniel Durand | Sound |
| Costume & Make-Up | Nicole Dalence | Hairstylist |
| Editing | Christiane Coutel | Editor |
| Art | Raymond Nègre | Production Design |
| Costume & Make-Up | Annie Coupez | Makeup Artist |
| Camera | Jacques Duhamel | Director of Photography |
