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GODARD A LA TELE 1960-2000: VITE FAIT, BIEN FAIT {GODARD ON TELEVISION 1960-2000: QUICKLY DONE, WELL DONE} {FRENCH} (TV)

Summary

A documentary by Michel Royer about renowned international film director Jean-Luc Godard and his relationship to television as a medium. The program documents Godard's appearances on television -- on talk shows, in one-on-one interviews, in archival footage -- illustrating in the process the apparent "hypocrisy" of Godard's stated extreme dislike for television, in particular, and any form of publicity, in general. The program starts with Godard on stage, with an unnamed host, discussing the negative effect television has had on the cinema and why, in his view, the cinema will remain as a medium despite the advent of television. The program is then structured in six parts, each introduced with a mock commercial displaying a series of images of Godard appearing on television. The first part, entitled "Words against television," presents a series of images of Godard disparaging television. The following clips are included: archival black-and-white footage from 1964; an appearance on "L'InvitŽ du Jeudi" (Thursday's Guest) with Antoine Vittez and HŽlne Vida; an unspecified appearance in 1980; an appearance on "Malouines" in 1982; footage from 1998; a 1985 appearance on Swiss television (TSR); a 1995 appearance on "L'Hebdo." The second part, entitled "In television's image," presents Godard's feelings on the relationship between film and television, and how the two mediums work together. The following clips are included: a scene from a Godard-related performance by Michel Boujut and Annie Andreu on "CinŽma/CinŽmas"; Godard's first televised appearance in 1960 in black-and-white; a 1965 appearance on "Pour le plaisir" (For Pleasure), where he discusses Brigitte Bardot; a black-and-white scene from "Panorama" in 1966; a black-and-white scene from Belgian television in 1968; a 1972 appearance on "Vive le cinŽma" (The Cinema Lives); 1983 footage of a religious couple protesting Godard's film "Hail Mary" outside of a New York movie theater; a 1981 clip with host Jean-Claude Philippe; actor Alain Delon in 1989 discussing his experience working with Godard; a 1995 quote from Jean-Franois Stevinin; Georges Kiejman discussing Godard on "Vive le cinŽma" (The Cinema Lives) in 1972; VŽronique Daniel and Thierry Heckendorn performing a scene mocking a Godard script in 1985; words from Karl ZŽro in 1995; an appearance on a 1993 talk show; a 1980 appearance; black-and-white, man-on-the-street interviews about Godard in 1965; a 1998 spoof of Godard with Bruno Carette and Chantal Lauby; a 1998 clip from "FŽte comme chez vous" (Party Like It's Your House). The third part, entitled "Some words for television," presents Godard contributions to the debate about television on several television shows. The following clips are included: a 1993 appearance on "Bouillon de Culture" with Bernard Pivot; a 1985 appearance on "13 heures" (1PM); a 1985 appearance on "Droit de rŽponse" (The Right to Respond) in which Godard asks the panel to close their eyes as they speak; a 1984 clip from "Aujourd'hui" (Today) in which the host laments the fact that Godard never showed up for the interview; a black-and-white clip from 1966 of Godard discussing prostitution, and publicity as a form thereof; 1983 news report over which Godard provides commentary; a 1989 appearance on "OcŽaniques"; and another clip from Godard's 1993 appearance on "Bouillon de Culture." The fourth part, entitled "Some images against television," presents more examples of Godard's dislike of the medium of a more abstract nature. The following clips are included: a 1976 still scene from "Leons des choses" (Lessons of Things) of two cups of coffee on a table; and a 1978 clip about Godard by Pierre Lescure, Michel Thoulouse, and Jean-Michel Desjeunes in which the words "When the left has the power, will television still have little to do with the people?" appear on screen. The fifth part, entitled "Some images against his image," presents examples of others discussing Godard and what they think of him. Notable appearances in this section include Anna Karina, Godard's wife from 1961 to 1967 and partner in Anouchka Films, their production company formed in 1964; and Johnny Hallyday, a French singer and actor who played a role in Godard's 1985 film, "Detective." The following additional clips are included: a 1961 black-and-white clip in which Godard discusses youth and cinema; an argument between Godard and his cameraman on the set of "Detective," followed by Hallyday discussing his experience working with Godard in 1985; a 1985 clip of Godard getting hit in the face with a pie; American filmmaker John Waters discussing Godard in 1985; a black-and-white series of clips from a 1967 program on Anna Karina; an interview with Karina and Godard in 1978 in which Godard discusses his reasons for leaving Karina, followed by Karina leaving the set in tears; a 1978 clip with Claude Ruben; and a 1981 clip with Charles Trouffaut. The last part, entitled "Some words to think of the images," displays some of Godard's more nonsensical comments. The following clips are included: a series of examples from 1982 in which Godard speaks nonsense; a press conference from his 1991 movie "Allemagne 90" (Germany 90); 1993 appearances on "Bouillon de culture" and "ExtŽrieur nuit" (Outside Night); a 1987 appearance on "OcŽaniques" with writer Marguerite Duras; a series of descriptions of Godard from 1991 and 1998; Godard receiving an award at the 1987 CŽsar Awards (France's equivalent to the Oscars); and Godard receiving an award at the 1988 CŽsar Awards, then being hugged by Johnny Hallyday. The program ends with the credits rolling over scenes with Godard from a recent unnamed talk show.

(This program is in French.)

Cataloging of this program was made possible by France TŽlŽvisions, 2004.

Details

  • NETWORK: Canal+ (France)
  • DATE: July 1, 1999 10:15 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:51:00
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:71250
  • GENRE: Arts documentaries
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Films - Production and direction; International Collection - France; Television
  • SERIES RUN: Canal+ (France) - TV, 1999
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Thierry Ippolito … Managing Producer
  • Christine Graziani … Producer, For INA Entreprise
  • Antoine Moreau … Production (Misc.), Editing
  • Isabelle Laclau … Production (Misc.), Technical Editor/Montage
  • Thierry Baudier … Production (Misc.), Graphic Artist
  • Georges Lafitte … Production (Misc.), Sound Mixing
  • Denis Cantin … Production (Misc.), Production Assistant
  • David Collet … Production (Misc.), Avid Assistant
  • Stephane Gallet … Production (Misc.), Avid Assistant
  • Michel Royer … Director
  • Alexandra Diaz … Direction (Misc.), Assistant Director
  • Didier Allard … Researcher
  • Jean Croc … Announcer
  • Annie Andreu
  • Brigitte Bardot
  • Michel Boujut
  • Bruno Carette
  • Veronique Daniel
  • Alain Delon
  • Jean-Michel Desjeunes
  • Marguerite Duras
  • Jean-Luc Godard
  • Johnny Hallyday
  • Thierry Heckendorn
  • Anna Karina
  • Georges Kiejman
  • Chantal Lauby
  • Pierre Lescure
  • Jean-Claude Philippe
  • Bernard Pivot
  • Claude Ruben
  • Jean-Francois Stevinin
  • Michel Thoulouse
  • Charles Trouffaut
  • Helene Vida
  • Antoine Vittez
  • John Waters
  • Karl Zero
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