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| “Jane Birkin and us”, the thousand lives of Jane B. |
Singer Jane B. opens up to Didier Varrod, reflecting on her illustrious and socially conscious career. Tune in tonight at 9 p.m. on France 4.
Jane B. sits calmly, a serene smile gracing her face as she watches her life unfold on the large screen before her. A life filled with richness, exposed to the world, divided into distinct chapters or eras: a blissful childhood, the disillusionment with John Barry, the inspiration drawn from Gainsbourg, and her cinematic journey with Doillon. Each chapter bears the mark of significant relationships: Kate Barry, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lou Doillon. Filmed a year before her passing, on July 16, 2023, Didier Varrod's documentary focuses less on the final chapters of her life (including the publication of her intimate journals, her symphony tour, final album, and farewell tour) and more on her legendary past.
The documentary exudes the intoxicating fragrance of nostalgia, evoking a creative epoch where boundaries seemed nonexistent: eccentricity, indulgence, humor, and even darker elements were embraced. Freedom, indeed! Jane Birkin epitomized this freedom from the moment she set foot in France as a young adult. But was she truly free? What were the constraints she faced in the shadow of these dominant figures, these towering creative egos?
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| “Jane Birkin and us”, the thousand lives of Jane B. |
As Jane Birkin speaks, archival footage rolls, revealing both the lightness and the toil of the artist; we witness a woman constrained by an image, yet fiercely striving to break free from it. The swinging era of London, appearances on Maritie and Gilbert Carpentier's shows, significant musical performances, and recurring periods of grief define her journey.
But what lies beneath her constant, wide smile? Jane Birkin diligently worked to liberate herself from the confines of her overt beauty. Undoubtedly, she found early success, whether through her musical career or on the silver screen, such as in "La Piscine," directed by Jacques Deray, alongside Romy Schneider, Maurice Ronet, and Alain Delon.
However, this portrayal of an androgynous nymph quickly felt constraining to her. Through film, theater, and her involvement in humanitarian causes, she spent years proving that she was more than just an entertainer or a muse for revered figures.
What lies behind his ever-present, broad smile?
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| “Jane Birkin and us”, the thousand lives of Jane B. |
