What is the French touch?
It’s the term coined by the journalist Martin James in a 1996 Melody Maker column for the distinctive spin that French producers and DJs put on house music in the mid-90s – identifiable characteristics include disco samples, robotic vocals and heavy filter and phaser effects. Stardust’s 1998 earworm Music Sounds Better With You, co-produced by Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk, is a good example of what we’re talking about here.
But that was nearly 20 years ago. Why is it relevant now?
The scene is vividly recalled in a new film by the director Mia Hansen-Løve called Eden, which follows an aspiring DJ and his friends from the early days of French house up to the (somewhat less heady) present. It’s not often that a good – and realistic – screen portrayal of club culture comes along and, despite its meandering plot, Eden captures the mood of the dancefloor better than 99% of other films about clubbing. (Take a look at the trailer for the forthcoming Zac Efron film We Are Your Friends for an example of how not to do it.)
Is it an insider view?
Very much so. Hansen-Løve’s teenage clubbing experiences fed into the film and she co-wrote the screenplay with her older brother, Sven, a house DJ and promoter in Paris in the 90s who, like the protagonist Paul, was part of a short-lived DJ duo called Cheers. Many of the other characters are drawn from real life, including the two members of Daft Punk (portrayed here by actors) who agreed to let Hansen-Løve license four of their tracks for the lowest possible fee.
Standout musical moment?
The euphoric Derrick May mix of Sueño Latino that opens the film. Also memorable is the scene where Daft Punk nervously try out Da Funk at a house party. It became their breakout track.
