Foux de Fa Fa!

March 16, 2009 9:40 AM

Point me to some real examples of the cinematic style parodied in Flight of the Conchords' "Foux de Fa Fa!"

The video can be seen here. I'm looking for real films which inspired the "French" part of this video (after they go into the fantasy world).

I'm assuming this is a real style of French cinema, probably from the 60s or 70s, but I don't know where to start looking for examples. it doesn't have to be silly like the Conchords, or even comedy, but I'm interested in seeing that style- the very vintage "analog" film look, the bright, playful clothes and colors, the transitions, and just the general feel. I'm especially interested in the part where they have the picnic in the park.

thanks!

posted by drjimmy11 to media & arts (10 comments total)

You'll have a field day with the search term "scopitone," I bet.
posted by bcwinters at 9:47 AM on March 16

Les Demoiselles de Rochefort
posted by thebazilist at 9:51 AM on March 16

And to expand on my comment, the Scopitone was a sort of video jukebox in the 60s—it seemed to me that Flight of the Conchords were spoofing French and Italian music videos of that time, moreso than French cinema.

The (modern) singer Mareva Galanter has quite a few videos that spoof the Scopitone style (for example, Mareva's take on "Laisse tomber les filles," as well as the original by France Gall.)

The movies that spring to mind for me are Les Parapluies de Cherbourg and Le Bonheur, but while they're both bright and colorful, they're also both incredibly sad.
posted by bcwinters at 10:00 AM on March 16 [4 favorites has favorites]

wow, that is amazingly helpful! thanks, bcwinters! ('Les Demoiselles de Rochefort" looks worth checking out too).

If anyone else has more to add, feel free, but that is awesome that you guys came up with EXACTLY what I wanted within 10 minutes of me posting.
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:06 AM on March 16

Céline et Julie vont en bateau maybe?
posted by freya_lamb at 10:43 AM on March 16

Les Bicyclettes de Belsize.
posted by Dr.Pill at 10:44 AM on March 16

It stuck me as a parody of the How To Speak French videos I watched in High School too, which were all made in the 80s and looked even older, featuring absurdly "french" dressed teenagers speaking very. slowly. to. each. other!
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:58 AM on March 16

There are some musical sequences in the movie musical "Peau D'Ân" that you'd probably adore (Donkey Skin, I kid you not, that's the real title -- it's a surreal take on a French fairy tale).

This film needs to be seen to be believed. It starts semi-tame, but it gets trippy.
posted by amtho at 12:07 PM on March 16

A commercial from the 60's for the Lambretta scooter - even though it's Italian, not French.
posted by plasticbugs at 3:11 PM on March 16

Thanks again, everyone!

In about a month or so I should be posting the music video I am shooting to Projects.
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:59 AM on March 17