TRUE FAITH

My first music video production was for Grace Jones' “Libertango (I've seen that face before)” directed by Jean Paul Goude. We had remained friends and one day I mentioned that I was interested in doing a choreographed dance video for the song, but not like Janet Jackson or related West Side Story type fare. He rung up Phillipe Decoulfé in Paris and I spoke with him. Phillip was interested so I flew to Paris to meet him. He showed me a short film “Caramba” which was quite unique. Philippe was a choreographer and dancer trained in the circus and contemporary dance and costume played a big role in his work. I played him the song and he did not like it much, but he wanted to make a little film. I was convinced and got approval from Rob Gretton and Tony Wilson. The band were about to perform at Glastonbury Festival and then go on vacation. So it was arranged that we would go and film them playing the song live.

Back in Paris Philippe had found an old atelier that was soon to be destroyed and he developed the piece for this place.

His childhood friend, Thierry Fournier, who only has one leg, was dressed sitting on a board suspended over the main area. Attached to his head was a screen on to which the band was seen performing. Once that was established he could cut between the choreography and the band directly.

We edited the video in London . It was like nothing else I had ever seen.

The band like it (I think!) and it became possibly their most popular video.

It was given Best Video at the BPI awards. What was so special is that it was announced that it had no competition!

I must admit that it wasn't my favorite song when we began production, but the video had Philippe and I both liking the song a lot.

In America Warner Brothers was now playing a role in the videos. They made a re-edit increasing the amount of footage of the band. I was very upset to learn this. Luckily MTV went on the video before knowing about the edit.

Actually, when Philippe finished the edit and we sent it to the band, it was only then I noticed that the only shot of Peter Hook was of his boots, and very briefly! Well, that is why I was working with this band. If that was the best edit for the video then they accepted it.

When I look back on the video I am reminded of Marcel, the one doing the lyrics in sign language while moving around in the kind of boxing bag costume. He died of AIDS since. I am sad that so many people we worked with have had the same fate, such as the fine actor David Warrilow (see “Run”).