Jean-Luc Godard

Jean-Luc Godard Passed Away at 91

One of the most pivotal figures in Cinema had passed. A truly independent intellect, it’s not surprising that he died by assisted suicide, legal in his homeland of Switzerland.

As a fan of cinema, especially auteur films and European films of the 60’s and 70’s (which I caught up with in the revival houses of NYC in the 70’s and 80’s), I had watched quite a few of his, but not too much of his more political later efforts. I shall not go into details here, as the internet is replete with tributes. Many are well-written and I urge you to read a few.

My favorite Godard film is Vivre Sa Vie (and he also lived his life truly as he wanted), perhaps because of the mesmerizing Anna Karina (the stills here do not do her great charm justice). I had mentioned it in this blog before. One scene had Karina working in a record store, and of course that endeared it to this vinyl junkie.

As someone who pays great attention to film music (in the context of the films), Godard was a pioneer in the use of music in films (read here). In Vivre Sa Vie, the great Michel Legrand’s contribution is only 3 minutes long, but it is memorable and repeated throughout the film. In fact, if you play it on repeat you will feel a sense of the film.

Below you can make out the Record at front is an Igor Oistrakh Recital

As even now, record Stores sell some equipment. Now, those Radios and TVs are TUBED!

Record Stores appear in many films. Here is a UK article on 25 Best Record Stores in Films. You may have been in one or two. Me, Tower Records in NYC.