Archive of films Cross the Universe / A Cross the Universe
France / USA
2008, 64 min
Section:
2009: A Musical Odyssey
Year: 2009
French stars of the electronic dance scene Justice tell the harsh truth about their American tour. This somewhat crazy mystification documentary, saluting the best traditions of music-scene fantasy, was co-directed by famous creator of pop-art clips, So Me.
Synopsis
French duo Justice broke out onto the world music scene in 2007. Their hit debut album merely bore the symbol of a cross as its title. Their electronic dance music, inspired by successful compatriots Daft Punk, doesn’t seem initially to conceal any irony or absurdity, making the film, intended to accompany the concert recordings, all the more surprising: this "tour documentary” is a wild, razor-sharp modern follow-up to mystification films which home in on the eccentricity and wacky image of the music scene. Producers Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay perform postmodern disco in their band Justice, but the film reveals them as rock stars who are making the most of their time at the top. Leather jackets and tough-talk evoke the heavy-metal scene, the American tour has some bizarre moments (feeding squirrels with hallucinogenic drugs, an impulsive wedding in Las Vegas), and even minor characters are depicted with cinematic precision. Some of the motifs are quoted from earlier music documentaries; others are reminiscent of Monty Python. One of the film’s directors is the designer and creator of clips So Me, a fundamental figure in today’s pop culture.
About the director
Designer and filmmaker going by the name So Me coordinates all the art projects created for the Paris-based music label Ed Banger Records. His video clips for Justice and Kanye West have won awards and are considered a revolutionary form of pop-art for the 21st century. Director Romain Gavras’s father is the famous filmmaker Constantin Costa-Gavras. Gavras established the production team Kourtrajmé in 1994 together with Kim Chapiron. He has also made music videos for the bands Simian Mobile Disco and Justice.
Contacts
75.tv
32, rue des Jeuneurs, 75002, Paris
France
Tel: +33 1 44 88 95 75
Fax: +33 1 44 76 58 59
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.75.tv
About the film
Color, DIGIBETA
Section: | 2009: A Musical Odyssey |
---|---|
Director: | Romain Gavras, So Me |
Music: | Justice |
Editor: | Toumani Sangare, Walter Mauriot |
Production: | Ed Banger Records |
Cast: | Gaspard Augé, Xavier de Rosnay |
Contact: | 75.tv |
Guests
Pavel Klusák
Freelance journalist