A BOUT PORTANT: SERGE GAINSBOURG {OFF THE WALL: SERGE GAINSBOURG} {FRENCH} (TV)
Summary
One in this occasional series of intimate, in-depth interviews with musicians. This edition, shot entirely in black-and-white, focuses on French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Michel Lancelot, an actor and visual artist, interviews the 45-year-old Gainsbourg at the height of his fame, in his home in Paris. The documentary opens with shots of the artwork in Gainsbourg's apartment with Gainsbourg, who is also an amateur painter, describing the works; it follows with a bit of Gainsbourg in the studio with other musicians, leading to an impromptu shot of his girlfriend, the English actress and singer Jane Birkin, with their baby Charlotte. The interview begins with Lancelot suggesting that Gainsbourg is "un peintre rate," a painter who "missed" his calling. Gainsbourg, who disagrees with this notion, explains his influences which range from cubism to Fauvism, mentions Francis Bacon as the "greatest contemporary painter," and discusses his father, who pushed him to paint as a boy. Next, Gainsbourg explains his "love to destroy," noting that he ruined a large number if his former works, including his earlier songs. "To destroy things allows me to renew myself," says Gainsbourg. At this point, Gainsbourg lip-syncs to one of his early songs, "L'eau la bouche" (Water On the Lips), from 1960. The program then cuts to Gainsbourg seated at his piano, playing a few notes of "Je t'aime moi, non plus" (I Love You, Me Neither) a song he recorded with Birkin in 1969 that became an international hit. (The song was recorded first with Gainsbourg's ex-lover Brigitte Bardot, but that version was not released until much later.) Next, Gainsbourg lip-syncs to "Ballade de Melody Nelson" (Ballad of Melody Nelson), which was released as a duet with Birkin. Gainsbourg next discusses his musical tastes. When asked by Lancelot where he would place himself in a book written on the state of French music in 1973, Gainsbourg jokes that the text would have to be in the form of a "school book," and that he would be in the margins of every page. Gainsbourg next discusses his looks, speaking of his transformation from boy to man, his self-consciousness about his ears and his appearance, and his sexual history. During this conversation, the documentary cuts back and forth to Gainsbourg lip syncing "La Javonaise" (The Woman from Java). While most of the interview takes place in Gainsbourg's home, the documentary includes shots of Gainsbourg and Birkin in a Russian circus tent, where Birkin practices walking the high wire with a Russian performer (Gainsbourg's "Par hasard, et pas ras" (By Chance, and Not Shaven) plays in the background). Gainsbourg, of Russian background, speaks fluent Russian and translates for Birkin as the Russian performer lavishes praise on her. Next, Gainsbourg talks about misogyny and the song "Je viens te dire que je m'en vais" (I Am Coming to Tell You That I'm Leaving), which begins to play in the background as he speaks. The documentary further focuses on Gainsbourg's relationship with Birkin, including segments of them together in a restaurant alternating with Gainsbourg speaking about Birkin. At one point in the restaurant, Gainsbourg refers to himself as her husband, to which Birkin replies "I don't see why he should be able to take credit for something he never did." Gainsbourg reveals details about difficulties after their daughter Charlotte's birth and discusses his love for Birkin. Back in the studio. Gainsbourg, once again discusses his painting and music, but hesitates to talk about how philosophy and his art come together. Gainsbourg admits to having very few friends; after which he talks about his mother and her reaction to his birth. (Gainsbourg was the second of twins; he has a sister.) He next discusses his jealousy, his fear of Birkin leaving him, and his not marrying her. The scene shifts to Gainsbourg lip-syncing "Manon." Continuing with the same topic, Gainsbourg speaks specifically about his fear of Birkin being on a film set with someone and losing her to that person. The documentary ends with Gainsbourg lip-syncing to the song, "Valse de Melody" (Melody's Waltz), as pictures of Birkin appear on screen.
(This program is in French.)
Cataloging of this program was made possible by France Televisions, 2004.
Details
- NETWORK: ORTF (France)
- DATE: September 19, 1973
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:04
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:72971
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: International Collection - France; Music, popular (songs, etc.)
- SERIES RUN: ORFT (France) - TV series
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Francois Gall … Producer
- Jacques Gall … Producer
- Jean Wetzel … Producer
- Roger Sciandra … Director
- Philippe Ronce … Direction (Misc.), Assistant Director
- Francois Dumoulin … Music (Misc. Credits), Sound Editing
- France Villon … Writer
- Michel Lancelot … Interviewer
- Serge Gainsbourg … Guest
- Brigitte Bardot
- Jane Birkin
- Francois Bacon
- Charlotte Gainsbourg