Stéphane Sednaoui
The work of director

First part of a review that I will continue in the future, this film cannot really be defined as such, being practically a compilation of music videos. An original content of its own, so to speak, is not there.

This "compilation" contains 19 music videos that range from brilliant to deliberately or unintentionally absurd. I will only review those that surprised me the most (this doesn't mean the others are any less), and I urge you to go find them on YouTube (even if watching them on the small screen of a phone can't give you the same effect).

"Video Kill the Radio Star" sang the Buggles in 1980, but these might be the exceptions that prove the rule. In fact, these videos complement the songs, adding elements to them without detracting attention from the main product, which is the music.

Let's start with a bang, with perhaps my favorite song by the RHCP, "Give It Away," which presents the group just as I've always imagined them: a bunch of jokers (in the good sense, of course). Dancing with a black and white filter, dressed as strange deities, and striking, hmm, hot poses, they'll make you smile and rhythmically-nod-your-head with the repetitive and effective chorus.

We continue with "Queer" by Garbage, a great song with a great video (also in black and white), which will either unsettle you or... capture your complete attention as you watch the provocative (in manners, eh) singer. I won't say anything more, but go find it.

Let's move on with "Lotus" by R.E.M, a good song, not one of the most memorable, but with a stunning video where... Michael Stipe doesn't exactly dance (to say that would be too much), but moves in time, dressed in black, with excellent choreography and good effects. It's probably its simplicity that makes it so beautiful.

We approach the end with "Sly" by Massive Attack, one of the few tracks I can listen to (the others are too psychedelic), and which made me understand what the term trip pop stands for: bursts of dazzling colors combined with the singing of an artist whose name I unfortunately couldn't find, plus Nirvana-like atmospheres (referring to the state of mind, not the band): stunning.

And we conclude with the song most tolerated by U2 purists: "Discotheque." Leaving aside the meaning, this video always brings a smile to my face: seeing thirty-somethings dancing in tight clothes, striking provocative poses (see Adam Clayton around the 3:45 mark) with strobe lights at full blast still makes me laugh, culminating, of course, in the Village People-esque parody at the end: for anyone who finds U2 too serious.

Now all the videos contained in this film:

Mirwais: "I Can’t Wait". Mirwais: "Disco Science". Tricky: "For Real". Tricky: "Pumkin". Tricky: "Hell Is Around The Corner" Alanis Morissette: "Ironic". Björk: "Possibly Maybe". Björk: "Big Time Sensuality" (normal version and 'new night' version). Red Hot Chili Peppers: "Scar Tissue". Red Hot Chili Peppers: "Give It Away". U2: "Mysterious Ways". U2: "Discotheque" (new director's cut). Youssou N'Dour & Neneh Cherry: "Seven Seconds". NTM: "Le Monde De Demain". Black Crowes: "Sometimes Salvation". R.E.M: "Lotus". Massive Attack: "Sly". Garbage: "Queer"