The Work of Director Michel Gondry

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The Amazing Genius of Michel Gondry

Michel Gondry is most known for directing the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but he is also a prolific and sought after director of music videos and commercials. If you've ever watched a video enthralled by awe, chances are it was directed by Gondry.

Gondry's Innovations

So why does Michel Gondry deserve the genius moniker?

Gondry's most famous contribution to film is probably "bullet time", used in the Matrix movies (and you thought the Wachowski brothers came up with it first), where multiple cameras are used in an array to "freeze" the action but still have a motion shot. Whew!

But wait, there's more:

complex use of motion control (Come Into My World)
replicated cubism on film, in motion (Let Forever Be)
yarn/knitted object animation (Walkie-Talkie Man)
stuffed felt object animation (The Science of Sleep)
expertly synced visuals with music (Star Guitar)
choreography that matches music synesthetically (Around the World)
looped sequence narrative (Sugar Water)
pixelating with Legos (Fell in Love with a Girl)
backscreen projection used overtly (The Science of Sleep)
numerous other things I can't find the words to describe

Each of his films/shorts/videos, is chock full of interesting, glittering, eye candy. Almost nothing is computer generated (the Lego animation of the White Stripes "Fell in Love with a Girl" is a documented exception). Best of all, every visual trick directly aids the storytelling. It isn't in there just to wow.

Gondry also takes the same view of choreography as Fred Astaire and Bruce Lee did - it should not be cut up excessively or shot close up. Stellar examples of his choreography can be found in "Around the World" and his GAP ads.

As a feature director, and in many cases in his videos (most notable with Bjork), Gondry can get excellent, even flawless performances from his actors. He is a collaborator - never wanting to choke off the voices of the other people working on the film. He has said that he lets the actor follow his or her instinct first, then if it isn't good, he gently nudges them to where they need to be. It is this philosophy that fosters good acting.

Finally, as a writer, Gondry understands that the emotional journey of his characters is subservient to all the special effects, and he is able to create stories with considerable weight and depth. He almost sees the world as a child (less cynical than a child actually), and casts his stories with a sense of innocence.

Gondry Poll

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Michel Gondry on YouTube

The quality of internet videos aren't great (and they probably violate somebody's copyright), but you'll get the idea that Gondry's work is sheer genius, enough to explore his DVDs.

The Work of Director Michel Gondry

The Amazing Genius of Michel Gondry

Gondry's Innovations

So why does Michel Gondry deserve the genius moniker?

Gondry Poll

Michel Gondry on YouTube

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Feature Filmography

Music Videos

Videos Directed By Michel Gondry

Gondry Links

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Michel Gondry on Amazon

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