Serge Gainsbourg Movies
Born Lucien Ginzburg in Paris to a family of Russian Jewish immigrants, controversial French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg admired music since childhood, especially classics and jazz. After first studying art, he became a pianist in a bar and later began to perform his own songs in a cabaret. He was rather shy at the time and tried to hide it by provoking the audience with his extravagant attire and behavior. "Sometimes they accepted me, sometimes they didn't, but they didn't love me," he once remembered. So he found acceptance by first giving his songs to the popular female singers Juliette Greco and Michelle Arnaud. Audiences and critics appreciated his songs when performed by others.In order to survive, Gainsbourg turned to the cinema both as a composer and an actor in supporting roles. In the 60's, as "The Twist" conquered France, Gainsbourg wrote "La chanson de Prevert," "Le poinconneur de Lilas" and "La Javanaise," songs that are considered classics now but were not very much appreciated at the time. Luckily, Petula Clark began to collaborate with him. Being incredibly sensitive to the new musical trends and fashions, Gainsbourg quickly adapted himself to the Beatles-inspired "yeah-yeah" craze and wrote "Poupee de cire, poupee de son." Performed by France Gall, the song won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1966 and immediately became a hit. Suddenly, his lyrics and music were in high demand. This resulted in a brief but much-publicized love affair with Brigitte Bardot to whom he wrote a few songs and devoted his album Initials B.B. In 1969 he married young actress Jane Birkin with whom he recorded Je t'aime moi non plus, the title track of which went to #69 on the U.S. charts and earned Gainsbourg cult status there. Birkin was the one who invented Gainsbourg's now-famous and notorious trademarks: facial stubble, well-worn jeans and ponderous posturing with cigarettes. The actress was featured in a number of his albums and starred in his debut as a film director, Je t'aime moi non plus (1975).
Gainsbourg remained astonishingly prolific, writing songs for innumerable other artists. His own albums, featuring compositions in different styles ranging from rock to reggae, earned the respect and admiration of the new generation. He wrote numerous songs for his teen-age daughter Charlotte as well as directing and appearing with her in Charlotte For Ever (1986), shocking audiences with the film's incestuous implications. In total, he wrote the music for more than 20 films and directed four features and numerous video clips and commercials. A couple of years before his death he promoted the new teenage star Vanessa Paradis. His death in 1991 virtually lead to national mourning in France. He was posthumously distinguished with the Cesar Award (the French Oscar) in 1996 for the musical theme used in Elisa (1995). ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide
- 1998
The Paris-based photographer-painter-actor-filmmaker William Klein looks back on five decades of his life and multi-careers in this French documentary. Born in 1926, Klein is a native New Yorker who began living in Paris in 1948, studied painting with Fernand Leger, photographed for Vogue from 1955 to 1965, dropped out of the fashion world for 15 years, and directed hundreds of commercials (from soup to hosiery). He was seen onscreen as an actor (People Will Talk, La Jetee) and worked offscreen as a visual consultant (Louis Malle's 1960 Zazie dans le Metro). Klein made both short and feature documentaries (from fighters to fashion), including and Far From Vietnam (1967) and Muhammed Ali, The Greatest. His dramatic film Who Are You, Polly Magoo? (1966) won the 1967 Prix Jean Vigo. Also excerpted here is Mr. Freedom (1968), a fable about America's intervention in Vietnam. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Delphine Seyrig, Sami Frey, (more)
- 1998
In this 122-minute sequel to the 47-minute Versilles -- Rive Gauche (1991), the brothers Bruno and Denis Podalydes provide the central installment of their trilogy of films named after different Versailles train stations. Awkward Albert (Denis Podlydes), a balding nerdy sort, is a soundman working on a political campaign spot in Toulouse where Albert and his buddy Otto (Jean-Noel Broute) donate blood in order to connect with attractive nurse Sophie (Isabelle Candelier). Attending a nature-film premiere in Paris, Albert becomes so shaken by his desire for journalist-filmmaker Anna (Jeanne Balibar) that he begins vomiting, interpreted by Anna as a compliment. Cop Corinne (Cecile Gouillot) is also attracted to Albert. Shown at the 1998 Locarno Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Denis Podalydès, Jeanne Balibar, (more)
- 1995
A troubled young woman goes in search of the father she never knew in this French drama. In 1979, Elisa (Florence Thomassin) is an unhappy and unstable woman who -- after trying to strangle her two year old daughter Marie -- kills herself on Christmas Eve. Sixteen years later, Marie (Vanessa Paradis) has grown into a young woman with more than her share of problems; she's wise beyond her years when it comes to men, and she lies as often as she tells the truth. With her friends Solange (Clotilde Courau) and Ahmed (Sekkou Sall), Marie makes her way through a variety of small-time confidence games, but she's obsessed with discovering the identity of her father, who abandoned her after the death of her mother years before. After intimidating a number of civil service workers, Marie learns that her father is Jacques Desmoulins (Gerard Depardieu), a successful but reclusive songwriter who lives on a small island where he uses alcohol to keep him company. Marie makes her way to Jacques' island in the hope of getting even with the man she blames for many of her troubles. Leading lady Vanessa Paradis is also a successful pop singer in Europe. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vanessa Paradis, Gérard Depardieu, (more)
- 1990
Claude Berri, who usually participates in films by directing them, here returns to the screen as an over-the-hill lothario, much given to quoting Shakespeare, who occasionally goes around naked under his raincoat and exposes himself to strangers, who are usually not interested in his primitive display of genitalia. It also appears that he is unable to sexually satisfy his much younger lover, and he suspects her of having another boyfriend. He earns his living tutoring students (mostly young girls) in English literature. When, in his frustration, he gropes one of the girls in her home during a tutoring session, she protests, her father (who is at home) beats him up, and he is sentenced to a jail term. There, he is teamed up with a slightly loopy murderer. When he gets out of jail, he finds his girlfriend has left for good, and ends his life. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claude Berri, Aurore Clément, (more)
- 1988
Jane B. is London-born actress and recording star Jane Birkin. Agnes V. is Belgian filmmaker and "grandmother of the New Wave" Agnes Varda. Jane B. Par Agnes V is a cinematic recounting of Birkin's career, from her breakthrough appearance as one of the nude models in Blow-Up to her pinnacle as star of such films as La Femme de Ma Vie (1986). It is also the story of Birkin and Varda's close relationship, made stronger by their mutual admiration and their lifelong fascination with feminist themes. Viewers who prefer straightforward, objective documentaries rather than radicalized film techniques, may not appreciate Jane B. par Agnes V. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Birkin, Philippe Léotard, (more)
Menage begins as a comedy of sorts, but be warned: it develops into a very dark, very confusing probe into the seamier aspects of Parisian life. Gerard Depardieu plays a crude but charismatic thief, whose own gayness does not prevent his commiserating with those of the opposite sex. Miou-Miou and Michel Blanc are young, impoverished lovers who fall under Depardieu's influence. He gains their confidence by introducing them to kinky sex, then sucks them into a vortex of crime. Director Bertrand Blier, who in most of his films has explored the awesome power (rather than pleasure) of sex, nearly outdoes himself in Menage (aka Tenue de Soiree). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gérard Depardieu, Michel Blanc, (more)
- 1986
- R
This drama with incestual nuances features singer-songwriter turned director Serge Gainsbourg as Stan, a screenwriter who has seen much better days. He is currently agonizing over his daughter, Charlotte (Charlotte Gainsbourg). Charlotte blames him for the death of her mother in an accident. Stan vents his feelings on anyone who will listen -- a gay friend, a low-life movie producer, a repulsive prostitute, and two young women his daughter's age. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Serge Gainsbourg, Charlotte Gainsbourg, (more)
- 1985
Moving as fast as models down the runway in a high-speed fashion show, this often superficial if not specious look at the philosophy and meaning of fashion is at its best when the models are walking and not talking. Wearing gear that includes anything from galoshes on the head to the latest in haute couture, the models' model and director William Klein also gives a little background on the history of fashion, such as it is.
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sapho
A depressed aspiring filmmaker falls in love with a suicidal young woman in this off-beat French drama, the second feature from director Leos Carax. Both have been recently dumped by their lovers and neither is coping very well. They meet via an apartment intercom system. Later the filmmaker sees her by the Seine. They finally meet in person at an elegant party and begin a long, strange conversation over a kitchen table. During the course of their talking, the two find themselves unable to resist their mutual neediness and this leads them to tragedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Denis Lavant, Mireille Perrier, (more)
- 1983
Although based on a novel by Georges Simenon, director (and songwriter) Serge Gainsbourg has superimposed several dark emotions and a subtle brutality over the weak plot about a man's trip to Africa and his unfortunate passion for a murderess whose amorality sends the disillusioned fellow back to Europe. Sometimes described as frustrating and self-centered, reactions to this film swing across a broad spectrum of complaints -- not the least might be whether or not Gainsbourg is using a clichéd and stereotypical view of "dark Africa" to convey what he sees in his characters. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara Sukowa, Francis Huster, (more)
- 1980
Claude Berri abandons his usual straightforward brand of filmmaking for the French I Love All of You. Catherine Deneuve plays a 35-year-old career woman who doesn't think she has time for a lasting relationship. Thus, her love life has been, and probably always will be, a series of trysts and one-night stands. The Alain Resnais-like continuity hopscotches between past, present and future as Deneuve ruminates on her empty emotional life. Originally titled Je Vous Aime, the film is also known as I Love You All (which sounds like something Scarlett O'Hara might say). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Louis Trintignant, (more)
- 1979
A completely routine drama involving sexual situations and rough characters, this story directed and written by Catherine Breillat looks at the liaison between Solange (Dominique Laffin) and Bruno (Bertrand Bonvoisin). Solange is the female version of a womanizing film director who is confident about her conquests and her ability to figure out men. Along comes Bruno, and Solange's faith in her knowledge of men is put to a test and found wanting. In spite of her better judgment, she is undeniably attracted to Bruno though the man is going to be trouble in a big way. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dominique Laffin, Marie-Helene Breillat, (more)
- 1979
Olga (Jane Birkin) is a bored housewife who is frequently left alone by her husband as he attends to business ventures on the road. She offers herself to Pierre (Jean-Louis Trintignant), but her husband's friend spurns her advances. Olga then makes herself available to Claude (Jean-Luc Bidneau), but the man is too consumed with poverty and his chronic unemployment to make a move. A shy restaurant employee finds Olga attractive, but he is too reluctant to pursue her. Olga finally decides that she may be better off living alone in this downbeat drama. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Louis Trintignant, Jane Birkin, (more)
- 1978
- R
Six vacationers from France find themselves on the sunny shores of Africa in a vacation village where organized fun is the order of the day. Spoofing such faddish getaways as "Club Med," the story focuses on the trials of a married couple who can't quite live up to their ideals of an "open" marriage, an overweight man who insists on trying to ski, a bore who cannot be gotten rid of, and a variety of small-time womanizers. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc, (more)
- 1975
Two men are driving a refuse truck to a dump site and stop for a hamburger. Krassky (Joe Dallesandro), one of the two, strikes an acquaintance with Johnny (Jane Birkin), the girl who works in the restaurant. They swiftly become lovers. However, Krassky is basically a homosexual, and must consummate their lovemaking in a slightly unusual way. His fellow truck-driver, Padovan (Hugues Quester), is also his lover. Padovan is intensely jealous, and attempts to kill Johnny. When Krassky fails to defend her, Johnny berates him, and he and Padovan resume their journey together. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Birkin, Joe Dallesandro, (more)
- 1974
In Serieux Comme le Plaisir, two men and a woman live quite happily together in a romantic liaison. The woman is probably wealthy anyway, so the trio doesn't worry much about money. One day they decide to take a trip in their beat-up car, managing the whole affair in their own special, insouciant manner. They are followed by a suspicious policeman who thinks there's something fishy about this group. As part of their play they tie the girl up, apparently leaving her behind, but she adamantly refuses to be rescued and heaps abuse on anyone who tries, including the hapless policeman. At some point she goes off with an Eastern monarch, leaving her lovers behind. She returns, and soon the trio is once again sniping at puzzled interlopers, playfully going about their business of confusing everyone. Later on in the film they are seen depositing their son at school where he is awaited by two young girls. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Birkin, Richard Leduc, (more)
- 1973
Complications abound in this French film, which tells the story of a filmmaker (Jean-Luc Bideau) who is attempting to put his real life into a movie; his interactions with the people in the movie he is filming create reverberations in his "real" life, although the past remains unchanged. Among the complications is his growing regard for the woman who plays his cinematic wife (Jane Birkin). She may wind up replacing his actual wife in real life. One of the highlights of this film is the insight it gives into the actual mechanics of filmmaking. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Françoise Fabian, Jean-Luc Bideau, (more)
- 1973
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In this horror movie, residents of a remote Scottish town fight a strange and terrifying beast that has been gobbling them all up. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Birkin, Françoise Christophe, (more)
- 1972
The trouble begins in this French comedy drama when four female roommates witness a theft and begin to suspect their neighbor. More trouble follows when the women decide to steal the money back from the alleged thief. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bernadette Lafont, Jane Birkin, (more)
- 1972
French director Claude Berri wrote, directed, and stars in this comedy as Claude, a bookstore owner whose personal life, like his struggling business, is failing. Claude is trapped in a loveless marriage to Isabelle (Juliet Berto), who does not seem to possess any sexual attraction to her husband or affection for her children. The only activity Isabelle does seem to relish is shopping, which means spending Claude's hard-earned income. Then salvation arrives in the form of a business brainstorm. Claude transforms the bookstore into a sex shop, selling everything from leather bondage paraphernalia to pornography; soon business takes off. The proprietorship of the sex shop and his friendship with a sexually uninhibited customer, Jacqueline (Nathalie Delon), open up new possibilities for Claude, and he realizes that he's been repressed. Although he encourages Isabelle to join him in his new erotic adventures, she is at first reluctant to embrace the swinging lifestyle; the couple's attempts at a ménage à trois are disastrous. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Pierre Marielle, Claude Piéplu, (more)
In Polish Russia, Stoloff (Yul Brynner), a Cossack in exile from his land and family, has gained control over a small Jewish village. The villagers live mainly by horse-thievery, under the leadership of Kifke (Eli Wallach). Stoloff's regime is tolerated with difficulty until he commandeers the village's horses (the sole source of wealth) for the Russian army. Naomi (Jane Birkin) has been away in France, where she has gotten a notion of revolution, and she inspires the town to resistance. This action gets her into deep trouble, from which only the wily Kifke and his assistant Zanvil (Oliver Tobias) can rescue her. Zanvil is particularly motivated, as he is in love with Naomi. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, (more)
- 1970
A Parisian punk is sent to reform school after he is caught stealing. His exploits following his release provide the basis for this crime drama. While in the institution he meets a young man from the same suburb as he. The two are released upon the same day. The protagonist really wants to reform, but his friend wants to stay a crook. The hero gets a job and begins improving his life while the young criminal ends up incarcerated for stealing cars. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1970
- R
Serge (Serge Gainsbourg) is sent to France by New York mobsters to secure a shipment of heroin. The supplier in France is being ripped off by a middleman who has gone into business for himself. His first order of business is to wipe out the customers of a drug house who have bought their drugs from a rival dealer. After slaying the bunch, with the help of a maniacal hippie (Paul Nicholas), he is off to Paris. Someone tips off the rival gang of Serge's arrival and he is met at the airport by two thugs. A pretty woman he met on the plane (Jane Birkin) finds him slumped in his car and takes him home with her. The two soon are entwined in a passionate embrace. Emery (Curt Jurgens) is the French drug kingpin who along with Serge is sought by the inspector (Gabriele Ferzetti). ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin, (more)
- 1970
This independent film is a satirical look at a group of successful, middle aged business people. Included are a film director, a writer and others who talk of love, sex and politics. They are portrayed as cynical and bored with life, and the viewer may feel the same way about the feature. This is the second effort from director Peter Zadek after his critically acclaimed I Am An Elephant, Madame. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anton Diffring, Gisela Fischer, (more)
