We haven’t reported much, or at all on Neil Jordan’s “Ondine,” because it was off our radar, frankly (so many movies, so little time).
Well, now it’s officially on our scopes and apologies to Jordan for being so late to the party.
The intriguing entry point to the conversation for us is the fact that Sigur Rós’ ethereal keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson is composing the score, a few of the group’s songs will also be featured in the picture. Those familiar with Rós’ material and their heavenly somnambulist qualities will be incredibly pleased to hear this. Those already aware of the film’s concept know this sounds utterly perfect for the material, and it makes us finally anticipate this film we honestly didn’t know a whole lot about until now.
Despite their vow to remain incredibly picky about their film choices, the Icelandic post-rocker in Sigur Rós’ already cinematic-friendly music has been featured in films like “Vanilla Sky,” “Mysterious Skin,” “The Life Aquatic” and a whole ton of trailers.
Jordan has already played with supernatural themes in his work (“In Dreams,” “Interview with the Vampire”) and “Ondine” sounds very much in that vein with a fairytale like aspect centering around a sea nymph. The film stars Colin Farrell, Alicja Bachleda, Stephen Rea, and Alison Barry. Here’s the synopsis:
” ‘Ondine’ is a tale about hope, love and the value of believing in magic. It tells the story of Syracuse, a local fisherman (Farrell) whose everyday life is transformed by a beautiful and mysterious woman (Bachleda), whom he fishes from the sea and who his young daughter believes is a mermaid. But as in all fairytales, enchantment and darkness go hand in hand.”
Magical sea nymphs, elegiac and womb-like Sigur Ros-like music? Call it a match made in heaven and wise of Jordan to enlist Sveinsson. “Ondine” is expected sometime mid-2009. [Sigur Ros va PFM]
Here’s the Sigur Ros track “Hoppipolla” from the album Takk.
That’s great news! I feel like I’ve been hearing Hoppipolla everywhere lately, and I think it’s such a great example of how cinematic their music can be. Out of curiosity, what did Sigur Ros do in the Life Aquatic–it’s been a while since I’ve seen it.
They had Starfularl whatever it’s called at the end of Life Aquatic. It works, but it’s also kinda contrived. Doesn’t work on multiple viewings. Wes normally doesn’t pick from right now au courant music and that kinda bugged me.
That movie just had too much damn music forced into it. No wonder it couldn’t breathe at all.
Sigur Ros doing music for a movie about a sea nymph? Gee, nice to see them expanding their sound.
Too bad other than the single (which was cool and different) i didn’t really care for their last album.
I like their song in Life Aquatic enough, but i agree with u in questioning its use. Did u know Wes originally used Radiohead’s Everything in Its Right Place during the “tour” of his ship. I’ve imagined it playing everytime i’ve seen that seen, and just think it would’ve been distracting.
Now Cameron Crowe used that song perfectly in Vanilla Sky, and even better than that was Sigur Ros’ The Nothing Song’s use at the end on top of the building. One of my fav music/movie moments, which shows its power considering i only marginally like the movie.
I agree the use of their song in Vanilla Sky was great, even if that movie was super mediocre.
Everything in it’s right place in the welcome to my ship scene?
*Shudder* that woulda been awful, what fucking sense would that have made? Wes is slipping, man. Love the Kinks songs that are featured in Darjeeling, but none of them are used magically like in the past.
They just seem sloppily thrown in there.
Yea, test screenings for Life had it in there much like the test screenings for Royal had The Beatles over the end instead of Van Morrison. So when I finally saw the movie, i was surprised it wasn’t there but not disappointed cause i saw it wouldn’t have fit.
It is a shame Darjeeling Limited offered no classic music/movie moments like all his films before, despite having two great Kinks songs and another offering from the Rolling Stones.
Seriously, all those great songs in Darjeeling, no great movie/music moments. The closest one is the use of “Strangers” at the funeral, but that’s even slightly contrived.
I love Hoppipolla. this is one of my favorite sigur ros songs.
love it
what's the name off the song at the end?