French cinema has been quite vibrant lately, hasn't it? Take "The Artist," which won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and brought fresh emotion to modern audiences.The ArtistOr "The Last Way," starring Romain Duris, who also appears in this film.The Gilded CageAnd "The Intouchables," starring Omar Sy.The IntouchablesWoody Allen also filmed in Paris (Note: "Midnight in Paris," released in 2011).

"Mood Indigo" is a work that perfectly embodies that positive trend. Many must be anticipating it, as Michel Gondry has finally directed an adaptation of Boris Vian's novel, a literary masterpiece so revered in France that it's included in textbooks.



As many of you know, Gondry first gained international recognition for his 1993 music video for Björk's "Human Behaviour." Its overwhelming visual beauty made a strong impact and also propelled Björk to fame. One could argue that Björk, after Michael Jackson, is an artist who effectively utilized music videos.

"Mood Indigo" offers a luxurious experience, allowing us to enjoy Björk's music video, which left such a vivid impression on us, in a feature-length format. In that sense, it's also a perfect film for Gondry fans, marking a return to his roots.



Gondry, much like Luc Besson, often works with French funding while living in America. However, he was originally from the music scene, having been a drummer for the French rock band "Oui Oui." That's precisely why the music in this film is so superb, with the score composed by his bandmate, Étienne Charry.

Let's return to the novel. Boris Vian's "L'Écume des jours," published in 1947, has been translated and published numerous times, despite being called "eternally untranslatable." To my knowledge, there are at least five or six different translations. The most recent one is "Utakata no Hibi" by Kan Nozaki (Kobunsha Publishing). I suspect it will continue to be translated for years to come. In Japan, besides this title, it's also known as "Hibi no Awa." In America, it seems to have been published under various titles such as "Mood Indigo," "Froth on the Daydream," and "Foam of the Daze."

Audrey Tautou (left) and Romain Duris, who play the main characters

Vian was born in 1920 and died young at 39 in 1959. He lived through World War II in his mid-life, of course. 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of his death, and 2010 was his 90th birthday, leading to a surge of Vian-related publications and considerable buzz. His jazz criticism collection, "Boris Vian's Introduction to Jazz" (Shinko Music), which fans had long awaited, was also translated. Today, I've brought a few books I purchased around that time.



He wrote jazz criticism for "Jazz Hot," a jazz magazine akin to Japan's "Swing Journal." He was a "multi-artist" with titles like novelist, actor, trumpeter, and jazz critic. While he had many labels, his connection to jazz was a significant unifying thread.



His life ended in a rather shocking manner. Some of you may know that he died at the preview screening of the film adaptation of his own book, "I Shall Spit on Your Graves." By this time, his body was severely weakened from nightly revelries and mental exhaustion. The episode surrounding "I Shall Spit on Your Graves" is particularly fascinating.

"Naruyoshi Kikuchi holding Kan Nozaki's translation of 'Mood Indigo'"

Vian was asked to translate American hardboiled novels, which were becoming popular in France at the time. He famously said, "It's faster to write it myself than to translate it," and quickly churned out "I Shall Spit on Your Graves," publishing it under the pseudonym of a Black deserter. It became a massive bestseller, and he struggled with the fame. He was, of course, opposed to the film adaptation of that work. And then, at the screening he was reluctantly dragged to by a friend, he suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after it began.

The novel "Mood Indigo" was actually adapted into a film in 1968, and I personally liked that version too. The "piano cocktail," which plays a key role in the story, and the "water lily" blooming on Chloé's chest were memorable elements. Perhaps because it was before the era of CGI, it had a very psychedelic aesthetic. I hope that this new film, "Mood Indigo," will lead more people to discover the earlier work. It would be great if a DVD were released...



In the novel, Chloé develops an illness where a flower blooms in her lungs early on, and the rest of the story revolves around her suffering from it. My first thought upon seeing this film was, "I'm glad the happy moments lasted for a long time." That's where I felt Gondry's unique authorship.



While the film faithfully reproduces the novel, Gondry made several arrangements to ensure a smoother cinematic flow. Nicolas, Colin's personal chef, is a prime example. In the novel, he's an English gentleman, but here he's played by Omar Sy, the Black actor from "The Intouchables," and is portrayed as someone adept at nightlife, clubs, and parties. Consequently, his sister is also naturally cast as a Black woman.

Kid Creole Appears as Duke Ellington

That's why Duke Ellington's music plays at their parties. It's a very smooth transition. And what's more, Duke Ellington is played by Kid Creole of Kid Creole & The Coconuts! For those who love 1980s jazz, this casting is irresistible.



Boris Vian was knowledgeable and talented, but as the "I Shall Spit on Your Graves" incident showed, he was also a bit of a fabulist. Therefore, the dance performed in this film is a "fictional dance conceived by Gondry." He's skillfully incorporated his own arrangements.

And this film is guided by the keyword "Duke Ellington." Among his songs are "Lotus Blossom," a masterpiece alongside "Flower of Africa," and several others with flower-themed titles. Lotus blossom, indeed. The flower blooming on Chloé's chest is also a lotus. As the preceding discussion suggests, Vian was an ardent admirer of Duke Ellington, and it's no exaggeration to say that the novel "Mood Indigo" was born from Duke Ellington's worldview.



In that regard, I believe "Mood Indigo" is a remarkable film where Gondry, as a musician himself, pays tribute to Duke Ellington not only spiritually but also technologically. While using vintage recordings, he masterfully captures Duke Ellington's timelessness through modern, high-precision editing techniques.

The novel was written in 1946, in the post-war liberation mood of Paris, but the film's time setting is ambiguous. It's timeless. While incorporating contemporary Parisian scenery, it's not necessarily set in 2013.



There's much more I'd like to discuss, but if I had to summarize this film in one sentence: Gondry used "Mood Indigo" as material to create a feature-length version of Björk's music video. Perhaps.

On the set. Director Michel Gondry is on the left.

Musician, writer, and music educator. While centering his activities and philosophy on jazz music, he actively engages in cross-genre musical and literary endeavors. In 2010, he released the complete works "Ethica of Struggle," containing ten years of his work, the first of its kind in the world, on a USB memory stick. In 2011, he signed with Impulse! Records and released "Alter War In Tokyo" under the name DCPRG. His major works include "Spanish Space Food" (Shogakukan) and "M/D - Miles Dewey Davis III Research" (Kawade Shobo Shinsha). His latest album is DCPRG's "SECOND REPORT FROM IRON MOUNTAIN USA" (impulse!). http://www.kikuchinaruyoshi.net/

"Mood Indigo"

Now showing at Shinjuku Wald 9, Cinema Rise, and other theaters.

Director | Michel Gondry

Based on the novel "L'Écume des jours" by Boris Vian

Screenplay | Michel Gondry & Luc Bossi

Starring | Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Omar Sy, Gad Elmaleh

Distribution | Phantom Film

2013 | France | 95 min | Original Title: "L'écume des jours"

http://moodindigo-movie.com/



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