The Work of Director Michel Gondry (2003 Video) User Reviews

Michel Gondry: "I've been twelve forever"

[Pvt_Joker · 10/10 · 9 August 2004]

This is my favourite DVD among the three "work of director" series, which also include Spike Jonze and Chris Cunningham.

Michel Gondry is truly a genius, as inventive a video artist can get. I always saw him as a child in an adult body, and that's a compliment because only children can come up with such vivid imagination while exploring their world. But somehow, when we grow up, we loose that instant creativity, the kind of naive curiosity that drives children to filter Reality. Life simply gets the best out of us with its endless routine and repetitive patterns. How many times do you get to see some old cartoons you adored when you were little, and somehow you get disappointed and tell yourself "It sucks!"

Michel Gondry is one the most awarded music video and commercial directors, he is a gifted artist who's never afraid to try new things. He has such an avant-garde view and creativity, the kind of videos you just stare at in awe and wonder "How the hell did they do that" (e.g. the Fell in Love with a girl video.) Some of his techniques are truly brilliant, yet when you look closely, every bright child could have come up with the same ideas.

This is a must-have for every Gondry fan, as well as those who are looking for many hours of creative inspiration & fun.

All your favourite music videos in one colourful box

[kaos-23 · 9/10 · 5 December 2005]

Brilliant collection of pop music videos directed by Michel Gondry. Until I saw this DVD by chance in HMV, I had no idea that one man was responsible for so many of my favourite music videos - such as The White Stripes' Lego one, the one where Kylie Minogue walks down the street encountering lots of other Kylies, and the Chemical Brothers 'Let Forever Be'. It also includes some more obscure French ones (Gondry's earlier work). The most outstanding video is probably Bjork's 'Bachelorette', a creepy and beautiful postmodern fairytale with layers upon layers of reality and fiction.

It's fascinating to see them all side by side, as it really shows up some of the themes that run through all of Gondry's videos - for example, repetition but with a slight difference, lots of things that look nearly but not quite the same. The extra bits, short films, interview with Gondry, etc are also very interesting and a must-see for fans of his work.

Also a great DVD to stick on in the background if you have friends round - good tunes, variety of artists, and the coolest videos ever.

If you've never seen these videos...

[cineaste-4 · 8/10 · 12 November 2003]

Go out and buy this DVD. Better yet, Amazon currently is offering all three in the series (Gondry, Spike Jonze & Chris Cunningham) for $35 with free shipping.

I bought all three at a retailer for $45 and I thought THAT was a bargain after watching this one on Michel Gondry. If the other two are as good, it IS a bargain! But at $35 for all three, now that's something nobody interested in "new directors" should pass up.

The fact is, I've rarely seen anything as brief, intoxicating and innovative as the videos on the Gondry disc. Not only do you get a two-sided disc with 20 or more music videos, you get some of this guy's early work (home movies), a 52-page booklet designed by Gondry, very funny interviews and videos of his early band (Oui Oui) performing at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

The four hours plus of material is fascinating.

I highly recommend this disc.

Works of art

[FilmOtaku · 8/10 · 25 March 2005]

Part of the DVD series "The Work of Director ________", a trio of DVDs featuring the work of three groundbreaking video and short film directors, "The Work of Michel Gondry" is an extensive filmography of the director's work prior to his acclaimed feature film debut "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". It was interesting to see these pieces after having seen that film because it is so clear that his innovative and (usually) whimsical vision were present long before that film was released.

Essentially "discovered" by musician Bjork and tapped to do the video for her film "Human Behaviour", Gondry went on to do several videos for her as well as for The White Stripes, The Chemical Brothers, Foo Fighters & The Rolling Stones, among others. All of the videos feature enormous amounts of color, are usually laden with fantasy elements (there are a lot of themes that involve time-shifting) and most either are ironic or dryly humorous. The total effect is completely intoxicating. I have always found Bjork's videos to be wonderful and unusual, but all of the videos in fair succession of one another are a heady experience. The amount of work that went into The White Stripes' "Fell in Love With a Girl" video, which features the band as Legos, with every shot done manually is mind-boggling. Even Kylie Minogue's "Come into my World" (I personally find her insipid at best) was extremely enjoyable because the video, essentially a mobius strip where Minogue is walking around a city block, was so sublime.

The collection also features some commercial work and short films that Gondry has produced during his professional career including a beautifully shot black and white film called "The Letter". Having now seen all three of the collections released by the Directors Label series (including Spike Jonze and Chris Cunningham) Gondry's work is the perfect addition to the series because he brings an element of bright imagination, and while all three directors are creative, his work is laced with a fancifulness that works as a thin patina, under which obvious intelligence lies. I considered "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" to be the best film released in 2004, and Gondry's video work is a strong support for his talent and vision. I highly recommend it. 8/10 --Shelly

Do I offend ??

[CelluloidRehab · 9/10 · 26 March 2007]

So far this is one of seven in the director series compilations (the others being Chris Cunningham, Anton Corbijn, Jonathan Glazer, Mark Romanek, Stephane Sednaoui, and Spike Jonez). These would definitely be considered the new wave, MTV generation type directors. These directors are fully integrated into a visual medium. I would love to see who the series go to next.

You might remember Michel Gondry from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Chappelle's Bloc Party. Prior to these movies he became famous for doing stunning music videos for artists like the White Stripes and Bjork.

This is mostly a collection of the various music videos that he has done from about 1986 to 2003. Out of the all the music video's I have to pick 5 as my favorite.

1) Daft Punk - around the world. Trippy and surreal dance number consisting of aliens, skeletons, mummies, and a few women.

2) Kylie Minogue - come into my world. Kylie's Mobius trip from her dry cleaner + 1.

3) White Stripes - fell in love with a girl. Lego land video is simply amazing.

4) White Stripes - the hardest button to button. Recurring Michel theme of duplication.

5) Cibo Matto - sugar water. Split screen asynchronous story that has a focal point in the middle.

This is basically a compilation of the work of the director. It includes his music videos, commercials, and other projects. This is their portfolio. The Director's Series is the great thing as you see the influences and evolution of the director. I also enjoyed the Levi's commercial, with the truck driver. I highly recommend this and the other DVDs in this series.

I like girls who fart too!

[aswerve · 30 May 2004]

This tall, skinny, big nosed French man has become a big influence on my own work in the last year that I get cranky every time he out does himself with a new music video.

This DVDography makes you jump in your seat when you discover he is the director of certain works you enjoyed many years ago.

Who knew he is the most awarded commercials and video director of all time? Check the smirnoff ad pre Matrix 'bullet time' days.

Besides, I like him cause he puts 'girlfriends' into 3 catergories; ones that hate farting, ones that don't mind farting and ones that fart back at you!

Come on Michael Jackson let Mr Gondry direct your last music video.. He is French you know!

Video compilation of : The Work of Director Michel Gondry

[luxuriouscindy · 9/10 · 15 January 2006]

A review on the compilation of Michel Gondry's work. Michel is French and sometimes better known as the drummer for OuiOui. He has produced a number of innovative videos for various artists, documentaries and short clips. This video examines a body of his work from 1987 through 2003 for such artists as Bjork, White Stripe and The Rolling Stones.

What I like about his videos is that they not only move with the music and tell the story of the lyrics but they have an incredible artistic content through his use of special effects and repeating images that leaves one wondering 'how did he do that'. Each one is like watching a magic act and yet the entire clip runs seamlessly from end to end.

When I listen to music lyrics, poetry or stories there is this movie of sorts that develops in my mind and I can almost become one with the music. Videos I like interpret the music in a way that lends to that in my mind and brings to life on the screen. Kind of an extension of the music, another instrument. Michel has a talent for bringing the music into a visual medium in such a way that I am drawn in further.

In the Stones video for "Like a Rolling Stone" we see the heroine who starts out a socialite to become the junkie that she once mocked, her life intertwining with her past and present, pleasant and harsh, posh vs blatant.

Cibo Matto video for sugar water took me a few watchings to catch on to the effect he used for them. The video chronicles a day in the life of each of the two girls, framed side by side, except one starts at the end of her day and the other at the beginning, and they converge in the middle of the piece in a catastrophe. Thus the film could be played either direction for the same effect although it is so skillfully done that the viewer does not realize that at first LOL, at least I didn't.

White Stripe videos use his technique of repeating images, echoes in the camera, to produce images that are controlled by the beat or chord played. For instance, each time the base drum is struck, a new drum kit appears along side with the musician at that kit, like a mirror effect where eventually the instruments repeat into the horizon as the players advance.

In his short flick for Levi's jeans he produces a story, in gritty black & white set in 1930s depression era where the main player drives past scenes from that era, arriving at a drug store, to buy, of all things, condoms. As the wary patrons give him baneful stares, the druggist wishes him well, he slips the condom tin into that little watch pocket thingy that those jeans have, and is off, driving through the country side only to arrive at his girlfriends at night. Her father answers the door, and to his dismay, it is the druggist from earlier, and the look on the fathers face is priceless as well, as here stands the young man he'd made the sale to earlier LOL.

Overall there are around 27 music videos, twelve short films and flicks, commentary sections and a book, The CD can be purchased singly or you can do what I did and buy it in the boxed set with 3 other CDs that cover other directors and artists. Always looking for the better deal ya know LOL

An excellent source for any budding filmmakers or fans of Michel Gondry

[scarlettmines · 8/10 · 27 July 2005]

Michel Gondry, the French mastermind behind the hugely popular 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', brings us back to his roots in this DVD showcasing the video clips that initiated his career in film-making.

'The Work of Director Michel Gondry' includes video clips by The White Stripes, Foo Fighters and Kylie Minogue among others. By seeing these video clips the viewer is able to see where Gondry gets his unique style of film-making from. The incredible directing that is prominent in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' is evident here. His creativity is extraordinary and anybody thinking of venturing into the business of film-making should really see this DVD to gain an insight into the mind of a genius.

It's not just business either. Through this DVD we are able to see the humorous side to Michel Gondry.

Overall, it's an interesting DVD that allows the viewer to step into the mind of Michel Gondry.

A pretty solid collection

[Rectangular_businessman · 8/10 · 16 January 2022]

A neat collection of music videos.

Michel Gondry has a talent to create charming, very dream-like music videos.

The little animations and shorts included in the DVD were an interesting watch for any fan of Gondry.

Great collection of material to know the genius that is Gondry

[Imdbidia · 8/10 · 3 March 2011]

A five-hour length double-sided CD with a huge collection of Gondry's video-clips, commercials, short films and a documentary about him, which go from year 1987 to year 2003.

The video-clip collection is extensive and impressive and shows the largeness of Gondry's creativity world, from the delightful low-budget animated clips of his band Qui Qui, to the spectacular ones of modern pop-rock bands and soloists. I especially liked his videos for Bjork and the Chemical Bros, but all of them are fantastic, so different, unique and so very Gondry.

There are a few commercials, but they are just visually brilliant and impacting, less Gondry-ish so to speak, but the humor and naughtiness are still there. The one for Levis is just fantastic.

The collection of short stories is not as homogeneous and extensive, and mixes shorts that Gondry made for his family (birthday presents), others that express things that happened to him when young, and those directed to the public, still inspired in his life, with different styles and aesthetics. I loved "So Tiny" and "The Letter".

The bio-documentary is OK, and shows Gondry's childish, creative and naughty personality, but is not well structured, with bits of information missing. The figure of the father, who seems to be so important to him, is barely mentioned, but his mother is over-present. I would have liked a little bit more of biographical details and interviews from his childhood and youth friends, his brothers, and more personal things. However, the documentary focus more in his professional and creative work, giving a detailed explanation on how and why he made some videos, interviews with the bands for whom he worked, a lot of footage about his band Qui Qui, and some hints of his personal life, but very reduced. I think both things could have occupied similar space, but the professional part ends dominating the documentary. I loved that too, but it left me craving for more.

If you like Gondry and/or good quality music clips you'll enjoy this independent DVD.

"The Work Of Director" series should be renamed "The Work Of Genius"!

[moon-safari-2 · 10/10 · 23 June 2005]

Michel Gondry is a very respective figure in video, movie and commercial business. He's a forty year old french man who still has childish eyes and he sees the world in a very unusual way. Have you ever dreamed about being strong, like Dave Grohl in Foo Fighters video or little, like Bjork in "Human Behavior"? To feel the warmth of a little space, just as the heroes of Massive Attack clip, or to see everything in a rhythm symbiosis, like in Chemical Brother's "Star Guitar" video? The right answer is "YES", but you could have seen it a long time ago, when you were about 12. Well, Gondry has been 12 forever, and a big 2-part documentary placed on this great DVD realize gives a rather detail explanation of everything that influenced on Gonrdy's unusual directing style. Besides this interesting documentary, this impressive double-sided DVD contains a lot of music videos, commercials and even a couple of short films! Not to mention amazing 52-page booklet. Ordinary human brain just can't stand too much of weird Michel Gondry's world, but if you try, you'll see, that world is a great place to be. And a main human problem is that we simply grow up, forgetting our childish dreams and become hungry for materialistic things. This stunning DVD will help you remember yourself, find yourself and enjoy one of the best videos ever made. It helped me already. No DVD collection would be full without "The Work Of Director^ Michel Gondry". Serious.

Gondry demystifies the secret art of cultivating inspiration

[j_imdb-229 · 10/10 · 9 July 2005]

this is a gem in my movie collection. everyone who watches it falls in love. do yourself a favor, resist the urge and watch "i've been twelve forever" (included on the discs) instead of watching the videos separately. he explains the inspiration/context (but not too much to spoil the presentations) behind each work and then you are able to watch each video. in the end, you will have watched an entirely engaging film about a very humble, gentle, and talented, young boy living inside a man. he is a real genius, and i think there would be many more like him if we took life less seriously and stopped making sense.

10 out of 10 because it could not be better!

From playing traps in music, to plying them in film

[ThurstonHunger · 6/10 · 20 June 2004]

Normally I'd lament the loss of an art-punk rocker to the realm of cinema, but in this case it is clear that Michel Gondry belongs in the director's chair, rather than behind a set of drums.

Throughout the overlong dual-sided disc, Gondry repeatedly lays traps to tromp l'oeil. He is French, you know. I actually had rented the Spike Jonze film from this series after getting jazzed by the previews for all three. But that one ended up putting me off a bit... It was only after seeing the remarkable "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" that I felt compelled to rent this. I should say I had also seen "Human Nature" which had its charm, but technically felt more akin to the cinematography of a Porky's sequel than to a renegade auteur.

But based on reviewing this, and again "Eternal" I do see remarkable promise for Monsieur Gondry. On this film, we get a glimpse of just how bad "Eternal" could have been thanks to a sixty second slice of "Pecan Pie" and Carrey's patented jim-nastic facial work-out. A lot o' yucks, and not the funny kind. David Cross however was the "bomb" in his scatalogical sketch. Even when Cross is not working blue, nor brown as in this case, he is scathingly funny.

The videos alone here radiate creativity. The center of Gondry's solipsistic solar system is childhood (dreams, puppy loves, memories of school dances). I sense that there's enough stardust to mine for quite some time. Even if Gondry does ever turn 13, at some time he may be able to tap into his own progeny for production. Although the brief boat-by shooting of film indicates that his son might be an enfant and perhaps terrible as well, but perhaps no "enfant terrible."

Anyways the videos are captivating, rarely do I come across a music video that as soon as it is done, I'm ready to watch it again. Or see it backwards. Remember that, all you folks old enough to have had home movies on super 8 and such?

Speaking of home movies, the longest section on this film is split in two, and does trace much of Gondry's connection to his family. I found this decently engaging, especially when we see the construction of a zoetrope, discussion of flipbooks and early films. Plus his grandfather created the clavioline! Though I'm more of an Oskar Sala guy myself, that's still pretty cool...I think Sun Ra played one.

I get the feeling Gondry will choose some significant challenges over the course of a long film career, but fortunately he was born with gigantic hands despite the fact that he's so tiny...so tiny...so tiny.

While this is not essential viewing, I enjoyed it, even though at times I was paying to watch commercials, very imaginative ones nonetheless. My young kids really dug some of this videos, as did my wife and I.

6.5/10