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MUSIC : Renzo Djordan & Kesja Bijok - Aleke
Music inspired by African Musicians, as part of the 8th electronic album named " ODYSSEY pt II " with ethno and worldmusic influences, as musical travel diary from the 4 corners of the globe with a cultural approach.
Music inspired by " Keep your head down " music film, 1984 french film commercially successful (+6M entries), many French César award nominations, directed by Michel Blanc filmmaker. A working class story from Marseille to New-York. A film accompagnied by music of XALAM, an african music band from Dakar Senegal which combines traditional instruments with modern jazz & funk sounds as saxophone. Some members of this musical band collaborated with Youssou N'Dour and also invited to play percussions on Rolling Stones' 1983 album named Undercover :
Another musical inspiration is the famous cameroonian saxophonist MANU DIBANGO and his banger " Soul Makossa ". He spent part of his career in Parisian jazz clubs and collaborated with artists like Miles Davis, Sting, John Lee and Hugh Masekela. Influenced by James brown and Fela Kuti, he produced brilliant style mixing jazz funk which led to it being covered by king of pop Mickeal Jackson in Thriller Album produced by Quincy Jones :
To sum up ALEKE music track construction, its created from different musical elements called African Fusion :
- Drums and djembe loop. End of the track, Ndombolo drum style - Congo
- Saxophone by Kesja Bijok, female saxophonist from Krakow - Poland
- Guitare Sebene style from Congolese Music - Rumba music genre.
- Vocalist is a Nigerian Afrofunk singer in New-York based. He has songs released in independent production as african jazz song "Sweet Mother " :
ALEKE
SAXOPHONE & AFROFUNK
FELA KUTI was a Nigerian musician and composer, recognized as the father of Afrobeat. A saxophonist who fused jazz, funk, and traditional African rhythms, creating a unique sound that captivated the world and has influenced current artists like Burna Boy, 2021 Grammy award winner. With TONY ALLEN, considered one of the greatest drummers of the 20th century, Fela's long and electrifying stage performances placed the saxophone at the heart of the band's energy, making him an iconic figure in African music :
Concerning guitare style, its inspired by Pamelo Mounk’a and FRANCO LUAMBO Makiadi, considered father of the 1960s sèbène guitar and masters of Congolese rumba : melodic and hypnotic guitare riff that make people dance during international tours and have influenced generations of African musicians : sebene rumba has evolved with faster rythms named Soukous.
Concernin Music film, malian albino singer and songwriter SALIF KEITA, nicknamed "The Golden Voice of Africa", worked on different soundtracks as on YEELEN malian film : Jury Prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. A four-time Grammy Award nominee, Salif Keïta has collaborated with major international artists, including Carlos Santana, Cesária Évora, and Peter Gabriel. He blends his voice with diverse styles while promoting musical heritage of Mali on international stage :
To conclude this review, remind us ANGELIQUE KIDJO, a Beninese singer, songwriter, actress, 5 Grammy awards winner. She is now considered one of the greatest contemporary African artists, often referred to as the "Queen of Afrobeat", an icon of world music. Angélique Kidjo's music has been used extensively in the film world, ranging from popular Hollywood films to an independent Italian film of NANNI MORETTI awarded by 1994 Cannes film festival. Italian Filmmaker Golden Palm winner in 2001 :
GYPSY
BALKAN EAST EU & WOODWIND BRASS
MUSIC : Renzo Djordan - Electro Gatlif
Inspired by the musical world of Tony Gatlif's films, particularly by the unique Gypsy energy of East Europe that permeates his soundtracks : Latcho Drom and Gadjo Dilo fillms guided creative process to obtain this electronic Balkan music genre, especially from Romania : acappella part of the track comes from a live recording during a Gypsy wedding ceremony in Romania.
Tony Gatlif filmmaker has been recognized at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival chaired by Quentin Tarantino, notably with the Best Director Award for EXILS, illustrating the influence in the international film landscape : a musical road movie throught Parisian suburb, Spain and Algeria :
The most emblematic Balkan song of the Gypsy Roma people was used in a 1997 Tony Gatlif's film, as well as in a 1967 Oscar-nominee Balkan film, which also won the Grand Prix at 1967 Cannes Film Festival : GELEM GELEM song. It was officially adopted as anthem song in 1971 at the first World Gypsy Roma Congress in London and it has since been sung at cultural gatherings and commemorations around the world : Gypsy Roma based in Balkans originally came from India, and their language is closely related to Hindi and Punjabi :
A musical inspiration is TIME OF THE GYPSIES, directed by Emir Kusturica, nicknamed " the Fellini of the Balkans " : a film that blends realism and fantasy while following the life of a young Gypsy Romani boy in Macedonia ( Balkan / East EU ) and later in the Gypsy districts of Milan Italy. The music, composed by GORAN BREGOVIC, plays a central role : a mix of Balkan brass bands and Romani singing. A film awarded by 1989 Cannes film festival :
Nicknamed " The king of the Balkan saxophone ", FERUS MUSTAFOV has made his mark on the international scene thanks to intense, danceable music deeply rooted in the Gypsy Roma traditions of North Macedonia ( Balkan / East EU ). Throughout his life, he remained rooted in popular music events (weddings, celebrations), far from commercial circuits :
It will not forget to mention the Balkan brass band from North EU Romania created in 90s, FANFARE CIOCARLIA, composed of Gypsy musicians. They perpetuate a very old Roma musical tradition, passed down from generation to generation, especially centered around brass instruments and very fast rhythms that have earned them international renown, invited in famous NPR Music Show and music used in hollywood music film :
MYSTERY OF THE BULGARIAN VOICES is an internationaly know musical project centered on the Romani female voices of the Balkans, highlighting the raw power, emotion, and spirituality of traditional Eastern European song. At the crossroads of Gypsy music, Balkan traditions, and the Romanian heritage, the project celebrates deeply expressive voices. The album " The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices Volume 2 " won 1990 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Recording and used in hollywood music film :
From a southern Balkans perspective, particularly Greece with oriental influences, is the origin of a traditional greek melody used in Quentin Tarantino's film Pulp Fiction opening music theme : MISIRLOU is a song often played with instruments and in a style similar to rembetiko (violin, bouzouki, oud). The world-famous music version used in the film, an instrumental cover, comes from american surf rock guitarist Dick Dale, and is very different from its original Greek context :
To conclude review with music film from South Balkan, remind us music film of Zorba The Greek, greek-american coproduction film with actor Anthony Quinn selected in 1964 Cannes film festival and three 1965 Oscar winners. A Sirtaki music with bouzouki guitare composed by greek musician MIKIS THEODORAKIS, also very famous for his musical collaboration with american filmmaker Sydney Lamet on 1973 film Serpico with italo-american actor Al Pacino. Moreover with director COSTA GAVRAS on the 1969 Oscar-winning film Z. Greek Filmmaker 1982 Golden Palm winner :
From a FRENCH perspective, let's introduce review with French stop-motion animation documentary NO DOGS OR ITALIANS ALLOWED, best animation film awarded at prestigious 2022 European Film Awards. The film tells story of Italian immigration to France at beginning of 20th century. More broadly, it is estimated that between 26 and 30 million Italians emigrated between end of 19th century and 1970s. This is a large diaspora in modern history, particulary to Europe, Brazil and USA.
TRIBUTE TO ITALIAN DIASPORA
CULTURE, CINEMA & MUSIC
Another cultural reference is CIAO ITALIA, major French exhibition that traces the history of Italian immigration to France between 1860 and 1960, a period during which Italians were the most numerous foreign migrants in France. The exhibition blends archival documents, works of art, cultural artifacts, and personal accounts, offering a historical, social, and human perspective on a century of migration :
BREAD & CHOCOLATE, Italian film directed by Francesco Rosi in 1974. It tells the story of NINO, a Sicilian immigrant in Europe, who works hard in low-skilled jobs. The film blends humor and drama to depict the hardships of daily life for Italian migrants, while exploring themes of identity and exile. Film with actor NINO MANFREDI Silver Bear awarded at Berlinale and French César award nomined :
The italians TAVIANI brothers directors, with their film PADRE PADRONE, offer a powerful perspective on the social and cultural conditions in rural island of Sardinia, Italy. Released in 1977, the directors evoke the transformations of Italian society, particularly Italian immigration to Germany, which compels many workers to leave their homeland in search of better living conditions. The film was awarded the Golden Palm at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival :
Known for many collaborations with the Italian Angelino Ventura, JOSE GIOVANNI filmmaker hails from an island culturally and politically long linked to Italy, Corsica. A reference in French film noir and police thriller cinema. He notably collaborated with Philippe Sarde and François de Roubaix, French composers famous for film soundtracks in the 1960s and 1970s.
Jacques Deray is a Italo-French director who paid homage to italian famous brand, BORSALINO. Borsalino comes from the name of its founder, Giuseppe Borsalino, which became a brand of elegant felt hats. A film known internationally thanks to the star actors JEAN-PAUL BELMONDO - His father, the sculptor Paul Belmondo, came from an Italian family originally from Sicily, more precisely from the region of Palermo - and Alain Delon, accompanied by Claude Bolling jazz music composer :
Regarding his workingclass and Italian roots (the province of Frosinone, Lazio region), MICHEL COLUCCI is a major artist who has left his mark on French cinema and society in 80s. He starred in several cult films, the most famous of which was Tchao Pantin (Neo noir genre), for which he received the French César Award for Best Actor. A dramatic role as gas station attendant in a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of North Paris, accompanied by music of Charlélie Couture :
Italo-french PHILIPPE FRAGIONE paid tribute to italian cult song TU VUO FA l'AMERICANO by using SQUALLOR musical theme. He also took part in the creation of soundtrack for one of biggest French blockbusters of the 1990s (7M entrees) and colaborated with Bruno Coulais, americans Clifford Smith Jr. + Reginald Noble. He specifies that Neapolitan culture is imbued with nostalgia, a mixture of joy and sadness. During 2008 Cannes Film Festival he emphasized in official interview the very large disparity between southern and northern Italy, a point found in films by Ettore Scola director
MICHEL PETRUCCIANI was a world-renowned Italo-French jazz pianist, known for his virtuoso playing, his sense of swing, and his improvisational skills. He made tours and collaborations in the United States, notably with legendary musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, and Joe Henderson. In New York, he played in legendary jazz clubs and recorded several albums that solidified his reputation :
From a BRAZILIAN perspective, ITALIAN LEGACY Documentary, a moving documentary about Italian immigration in Brazil, premieres on the 19th. With beautiful images and powerful testimonies, the film revisits the 145th anniversary of the arrival of the Northern Italians. Spiritual themes, music, gastronomy, and wine are discussed by descendants of immigrants :
From an AUSTRALIAN perspective, The Immigrants is a lyrical and darkly comic novel about 1950s–60s Italian immigrants settling in rural Australia. It centers on Nicolino Barone, a sensitive and observant young boy growing up in a working-class migrant italian family. The book was widely praised in Australia for its originality and won several literary awards
From CANADIAN perspective, SUSAN GABORI'S novel Search of Paradise: The Odyssey of an Italian Family, story is set primarily in the late 1940s through the 1950s. The narrative follows this large wave of Italian immigration to Canada. Novel was finalist for QSPELL Prize for Non-Fiction in 1994, a literary award recognized in Canada for non-fiction.
From an AMERICAN perspective, several novels of Italo-American literature published between 1935 and 1979 recount the experience of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the United States. They take place mainly in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and address issues of integration, family, and cultural identity :
Concerning video, ITALIAN AMERICANS PBS, is a four-part documentary series, produced and broadcast by PBS in 2015. The series traces the history of Italian Americans from the major waves of immigration (late 19th – early 20th century) to the present day. This documentary shows how Italians, marginalized, became a major component of American identity.
ITALIAN AMERICAN is also a short documentary directed by Martin Scorsese in 1974 : in this intimate film, Scorsese films his own parents, Catherine and Charles Scorsese, in their New York City apartment. Through a warm and spontaneous conversation around the family table, they tell their story as Italian Sicilian immigrants who settled in the United States.
In 1974 THE GODFATHER PART II and 2006 GOLDEN DOOR films, arrival of italian Sicilians in USA is central to the narrative. After long voyage by ship, sometimes via ports like Trieste, italians immigrants arrive at the sorting center on Ellis Island : a small island located in New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty which has become a museum dedicated to history of immigration to USA :
To conclude this review with island thematic, whether through cinema with french Jean-Luc Godard or in music with the Italo American Frank Sinatra, the island of Capri in southern Italy, attached to Naples city, has always been a source of inspiration and fascination for many artists as painters and writers from all over the world.
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