They didnít invent the music video, but they certainly have re-invented it. Three of the worldís top video directors were on hand last night at Laemmleís Sunset 5 in West Hollywood for the premiere of Palm Picturesí Directors Label Series ñ DVD compilations celebrating the works of Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry and Chris Cunningham. The program featured a screening of select videos, shorts, adverts, and commentary from artists the filmmakers have collaborated with. From Christopher Walken waxing nostalgic on his star turn in Jonzeís Fatboy Slim ìWeapon of Choiceî clip to Dave Grohl pontificating on the genius of Gondry, we got a sense of why they are the go-to guys. Each with his own distinct style ñ Cunninghamís disturbing surrealism, Jonzeís askew gaze on everyday life, and Gondryís combination of the two ñ this evening was a wet dream for film geeks. They showed up in droves to get a look at the masterwork on the silver screen and stuck around after for a Q&A in the Virgin Megastore.
The session was moderated by skater/filmmaker Ty Evans and the gents spent about an hour fielding questions. They spoke about making the transition to features ñ Jonze and Gondry have both collaborated with screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and Cunningham is currently writing a script for his feature debut. Even with the advent of computer technology, Gondry prefers to achieve his effects in camera. When asked whoís the one artist they want to work with most, the answers were as varied as their styles ñ Cunningham, ìI really wanted to direct Justin Timberlakeís ëRock Your Bodyí video,î Gondry wants to work with Mya ìbecause sheís so beautiful,î and Spike wants to work with Outkast – ìIíve got a crush on Andre 3000.î As varied as their bodies of work are, they still all have one special bond – they each collaborated with the reigning queen of experimental video, Bjork
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