Eden

Description

Electronic dance music (EDM) owes its enormous popularity today to an unexpected journey through Paris, France. When the ‘70s disco phenomenon was summarily trashed in the early ‘80s, dance music continued to evolve in isolated African American and gay clubs which became known variously as Garage, Underground, House, etc. In the ‘90s, a group of young largely heterosexual French guys began experimenting with a new form of dance music, returning to dance music’s disco roots but deploying the latest technological effects to thicken and darken the sound. While Daft Punk represent this genre’s most famous creative force, innumerable groups and their followers have adopted and been influenced by their innovations. This “French Touch”, as it came to be known, is the subject of Mia Hansen-Løve’s newest film. She tells the story through the experiences of Paul (Félix de Givry), loosely based on the life of her brother and co-screenwriter, Sven. With his friend Stan (Hugo Conzelmann), he forms a duo called Cheers and the pair’s career explodes alongside Daft Punk, who feature as characters in the film through a hilarious running gag. At the same time, his chaotic personal life, particularly a turbulent relationship with the no-nonsense Louise (Pauline Etienne), interrupts and informs his musical success. Ultimately, Paul’s overweening ambition leaves him woefully unprepared to cope with the fallout from changing tastes, Louise’s need for a grown-up partner and his own bad habits. Hansen-Løve is a highly observational filmmaker who leaves a lot of space for contemplation and the emotional draw of the music. This is no traditional music biopic but rather a portrait of a creative youth movement and its ultimate dissolution through one man’s eyes. For house music fans, it’s a rare treat to see this crucial story told so intimately and to feel the rush when “Da Funk’s” killer opening beat drops for the first time.

Film Details