Claude François

Artist: Claude François

LP: Claude François

Song: "Tout Éclate Tout Explose"

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I don't speak French, but I'm pretty sure "Tout Éclate Tout Explose" means "I've seen so many goddamn movies in the past 3 weeks, I feel like I'm going to explode!" The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF, May 20 - June 13) finally came to an end yesterday, and, with my industry pass in hand (I get one because of my work—thanks, SIFF!), I watched a total of 55 films at the festival. My favorite was a sweet, simple Mexican film called ALAMAR; other highlights were the 1951 Jean Renoir film THE RIVER; documentary THE TOPP TWINS, about yodeling lesbian twin sisters from New Zealand; REJOICE AND SHOUT, about the history of Gospel music; documentary HENRI-GEORGES CLOUZOT'S INFERNO about an incredible-looking 1964 Clouzot film that was never finished because of numerous setbacks and delays; Luchino Visconti's SENSO; a gorgeous and haunting Romanian film called KATALIN VARGA; THE MILK OR SORROW from Peru; Sweden's A RATIONAL SOLUTION; the pensive, experimental MUNDANE HISTORY from Thailand; a wacky South Korean romantic comedy called CASTAWAY ON THE MOON and the lovely and romantic CAIRO TIME from director Ruba Nadda. And that's just to name a few! 2010 was a great year for films at SIFF. There were some good gay films too; my favorite was the sad and romantic UNDERTOW from Peru, but BROTHERHOOD, about hunky gay neo-Nazis who fall in love, was better than average and so was PARIS RETURN.

Anyway, back to Claude Francois; born in Ismailia, Egypt in 1939 to an Italian mother and French father, Claude became a huge pop star in France in the 1960s and remained in the limelight by adapting his music, clothing and hairo to every new emerging trend. He was one of the first singers to perform with female dancers onstage and he wrote the original French version of "My Way," which was later made a stateside hit by Frank Sinatra. Sadly, after near-death experiences from an IRA bombing in London and an assassination attempt by a crazed fan, it was the modern convenience of electricity that finally took the life of Claude François in 1978; he was blow-drying his gorgeous mane while standing in a bathtub full of water when the dryer evidently slipped out of his hands. You can read about the life and career of Claude François on Wikipedia here.
 

[ Claude François: February 1, 1939 — March 11, 1978 ]