The question of whether lack of diversity = racism is tricky. I remember a big to-do about it back in the days of Friends and Seinfeld. In most of these cases, I don't believe that any inherent racism or whitewashing was done with intent by the creators. They merely didn't put enough thought into it when casting. However, the issue of why their default would be all white actors is a legitimate criticism. On the other hand, if they'd made an attempt to cast their movies and shows like some Benneton ad, they'd be accused of tokenism.
I was surprised that Tiersen said what he did ( as well as the drawing ) at the gig. When I began my research it felt tricky, to use your word, so I think it was important for me to use verbatim quotes to build up a picture. In all of these scenarios I can only imagine there was (and still is) unconscious bias at play. This is also why I felt Serge Kaganski’s quotes as a critic were important (I wanted to include more of his voice but I had a lot to cut out) because he retracted some of initial scorn about the film, yet Tiersen has increased his.
To me, it sounds like Tiersen has some other grudge against Jeunet or about the film and is using the racism card as an easy way to attack it. It may be as simple as that he's unhappy with the way his entire career has been latched to that one project and that nobody seems to care much about anything he's done subsequently. Artists can be temperamental like that.
Fascinating read. I love the music from that film, hard to imagine anyone not liking it. The idea that the composer has issues with the director’s choices… I can understand that in my mind but damn, now I’d love to hear what he thinks should’ve been in each scene. I wouldn’t change a thing about the music in Amelie.
What struck me after researching Tiersen in greater detail is how he views himself as an artist: always growing and find a new sound. So I can understand a frustration about being viewed as “the Amélie guy”. And he really is prickly with his words.
I’m the same as you (and many others no doubt); it’s a beautiful movie with a heartfelt sound. I’d recommend checking out Cascade Street if you liked the sound of the film. It feels like every track could’ve been used by the director.
The question of whether lack of diversity = racism is tricky. I remember a big to-do about it back in the days of Friends and Seinfeld. In most of these cases, I don't believe that any inherent racism or whitewashing was done with intent by the creators. They merely didn't put enough thought into it when casting. However, the issue of why their default would be all white actors is a legitimate criticism. On the other hand, if they'd made an attempt to cast their movies and shows like some Benneton ad, they'd be accused of tokenism.
I was surprised that Tiersen said what he did ( as well as the drawing ) at the gig. When I began my research it felt tricky, to use your word, so I think it was important for me to use verbatim quotes to build up a picture. In all of these scenarios I can only imagine there was (and still is) unconscious bias at play. This is also why I felt Serge Kaganski’s quotes as a critic were important (I wanted to include more of his voice but I had a lot to cut out) because he retracted some of initial scorn about the film, yet Tiersen has increased his.
To me, it sounds like Tiersen has some other grudge against Jeunet or about the film and is using the racism card as an easy way to attack it. It may be as simple as that he's unhappy with the way his entire career has been latched to that one project and that nobody seems to care much about anything he's done subsequently. Artists can be temperamental like that.
interesting read! thank you.
Thanks for taking the time to read it, Teresa.
Fascinating read. I love the music from that film, hard to imagine anyone not liking it. The idea that the composer has issues with the director’s choices… I can understand that in my mind but damn, now I’d love to hear what he thinks should’ve been in each scene. I wouldn’t change a thing about the music in Amelie.
What struck me after researching Tiersen in greater detail is how he views himself as an artist: always growing and find a new sound. So I can understand a frustration about being viewed as “the Amélie guy”. And he really is prickly with his words.
I’m the same as you (and many others no doubt); it’s a beautiful movie with a heartfelt sound. I’d recommend checking out Cascade Street if you liked the sound of the film. It feels like every track could’ve been used by the director.