During this last week in Paris I have often been reminded of one of my favorite Parisians, the film-maker Vincent Moon. There’s something about him, besides it being his birthplace, that seems innately connected to this city.
I met the self described “nomadic film-maker” Vincent Moon about a year ago at a club on the Lower East Side. I had heard his name dozens of times and spent many hours watching his Take Away Shows, so spending a sunny spring afternoon with him was borderline surreal. But he was as charming, enthusiastic and interested as you could hope for. His energy was almost overwhelming, while talking with us he danced, lit cigarettes and fixed cameras, constantly in touch with his surroundings and the energy of the room. On stage he seemed as comfortable as the musicians themselves, weaving in between them effortlessly.
Self described “nomadic filmmaker” he has worked with REM, The National, Beirut, Grizzly Bear and almost every other indie band that you can think of. The Take Away Shows that he has produced for the French website La Blogotheque are brief, raw, moving portraits of musicians at work. Though these films are essentially music videos, they are really quite the opposite. While many music videos build up the brand or mystique of a band, Moon’s work tears it down and presents the music and the musicians for what they are. In Moon’s lo-fi aesthetic there is something personal and exquisite, he is able to capture something in the people that he films that most of us can’t see without his help.
He recently put a very comprehensive catalog of his work on his website, all of which is available to watch for free. If you are looking for a way to escape from this insane July heat or simply looking for inspiration, Moon’s videos will do the trick. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
CP
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