The Mary Sue: Yesterday we reported that the adorably whimsical French film Amélie is being turned into a musical. But despite the fact that it’s not even been written yet, said musical already has found an impassioned critic in a quite unlikely form: The film’s director.
Don’t hold back, Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Tell us what you really think.
6 comments:
I completely respect Jean-Pierre Jeunet's decision. Some would say that he was selling out or that he didn't have the courage of his convictions, however in this case, the good he will be able to do with the money he is gaining definitely should overshadow his feelings about Broadway. I was reading an article the other day where a musician said "the idea of selling out is only understandable to people of privilege" and I think that it is great that even though Jeunet may hate musical comedies, that he understands that those kids are counting on him, so he no longer has the privilege to say no.
I have mixed feelings about Jeunet's attitude towards this project. While I think that his motivation for allowing the musical to be produced so that he may be able to donate money to an important cause gives him a lot of credibility, I find it strange that he would be so vocal about his opposition to the project. I don't think that Jeunet should falsely endorse the musical if he isn't a fan of musicals, but it seems like he is too heavily expressing his opposition to it. I think that Jeunet could more respectably say that he is not a fan of the musical genre and that his motivation for allowing its production is to raise money for a charity. I don't think it was necessary for him to say so much about his opposition.
I'm actually a fan of Jean-Pierre being vocal about his dislike of the decision to make Amelie into a musical. I'm always interested, when movies are made into Broadway shows, what the original director feels about them. Granted, it's not even made yet so it seems to be a little premature to be being so against the show. At least he has a good reason why he gave the rights to something that he doesn't approve of. I'll be interested to see where this production goes.
This is a classic example of how the industry has become far too money-driven, that producers and directors are putting their funds in on things they don't even believe in or support just because they may be financially profitable. While I respect that in the case of Jeunet, the money is going to a good cause, and while i respectfully disagree with his generalization about Broadway, the fact is that producers are no longer choosing work based on their belief in it, they just want things that will make money. Hence the startling lack of original musicals (by original i mean NOT based on pre-existing work such as books or movies) and new plays on Broadway. Even the best, most promising works don't seem to be worth taking a chance on, and that makes me sad. If Jeunet really doesn't believe in the musical, regardless of his honorable motives for making money, he shouldn't give away the rights to his film. There is a reason it was originally made in that medium and not this one.
Well then! Save the children! I think that is as good a reason as any to make a musical. There are many reasons people hate musicals and I agree with most of them but I do think as a straight play Amelie could be great. It's mix of surreal moments and magic could provide some really interesting design moments. Jean-Pierre seems like he is a little stuck up and could at least see the damn thing, or if he were involved could make it something he likes, being a director one would think it would be interesting to try other mediums, but I guess not.
It's admirable of this director to sign off on something he hates in order to get money to help children, but it seems premature of him to immediately hate the show. Artists should support other artists, even if they are in different mediums. It would be very easy for theatre people to claim that all films, without exception, are "tacky" and awful, and point to movies like "Transformers" and other flashy action movies to prove it. Of course, this would leave out great movies, like "Amélie." Yes, there are musicals that are tacky, but there are also musicals that are amazing and present a story and message better than they could be shown in any other form. I know lots of people my age who claim to hate theatre, and I always feel that you can't judge an entire art form off of seeing one high school production of "Bye Bye Birdie." It's fine to have opinions, but deciding offhand to hate something just because of how it is presented is profoundly limiting, especially as an artist.
It seems it would be more productive as a director if Jean-Pierre Jeunet would work with the creators of this musical, and perhaps take a chance on it.
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