There is a series of great concerts taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland, this week, featuring French bands performing live soundtracks for films as part of this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The Cinéconcerts, staged in collaboration with the Institut français d’Ecosse, feature four different Breton bands performing new soundtracks to film works.
These are film works that were originally made with soundtracks rather than silent works that are being accompanied by a band. I've seen a couple of these, Nosferatu with Faust playing a soundtrack, and Storm over Asia with Tuvan band Yat Kha. French band Zombie Zombie who performed in the Glasgow Film festival earlier this year with their soundtrack for Battleship Potemkin.
But these are a different proposition altogether, and a riskier one.
Because these are works that already have soundtracks, the audience will come to them with certain expectations. Also there will be dialogue that the musicians will be required to work around. With a silent film the music can take the place of dialogue, but that's not possible here.
First up on Monday June 20 is NeirdA & Z3ro from Rennes with their take on 60s cult TV programme The Prisoner.
Given the iconic theme music for the series is so deeply ingrained, its fascinating to hear a slow menacing electro track being used instead. Its reminiscent of the darker work of Tangerine Dream in their earlier soundtracks.
At other times the duo conjure up a modern jazz-funk that works well with the 60s visuals.
Although it's on in Edinburgh, the Cinéconcert is also showing at various dates in France over the summer and later this year.
There is more information about the series of concerts in Edinburgh on the Institut français d’Ecosse's website and there are more details about the Prisoner Cinéconcert's later dates in France on myspace.
There is full information about the Edinburgh International Film festival on their website.
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