Je t'aime: The Story of French Song with Petula Clark
Documentary exploring the story of the lyric-driven French chanson and its greatest artists, including Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Juliette Greco, Anna Karina and Jane Birkin
'I want to make people cry even when they don't understand my words.' - Edith Piaf
This unique film explores the story of the lyric-driven French chanson and looks at some of the greatest artists and examples of the form. Award-winning singer and musician Petula Clark, who shot to stardom in France in the late 1950s for her nuanced singing and lyrical exploration, is our guide.
We meet singers and artists who propelled chanson into the limelight, including Charles Aznavour (a protege of Edith Piaf), Juliette Greco (whom Jean-Paul Sartre described as having 'a million poems in her voice'), Anna Karina (muse of Jean-Luc Godard and darling of the French cinema's new wave), actress and singer Jane Birkin, who had a global hit (along with Serge Gainsbourg) with the controversial Je t'aime (Moi non plus), and Marc Almond, who has received great acclaim with his recordings of Jacques Brel songs.
In exploring the famous chanson tradition and the prodigious singers who made the songs their own, we continue the story into contemporary French composition, looking at new lyrical forms exemplified by current artists such as Stromae, Zaz, Tetes Raides and Etienne Daho, who also give exclusive interviews.
The film shines a spotlight onto a musical form about which the British are largely unfamiliar, illuminating a history that is tender, funny, revealing and absorbing.
Last on
Clips
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What is la Chanson Fran莽aise?
Duration: 01:41
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Juliette Gr茅co: Sartre's bohemian beatnik muse
Duration: 01:29
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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Petula Clark
Boum
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脡dith Piaf
La Vie En Rose
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脡dith Piaf
L'Accordeoniste
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脡dith Piaf
Milord
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脡dith Piaf
Non, Je Ne Regrette Rein
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Aristide Bruant
Mimi Pean De Chien
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Damia
C'est Mon Giogolo
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贵谤茅丑别濒
La Java Blue
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Jean Sablon
Un Seul Couvert, Please James
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Charles Trenet
La Mer
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Charles Trenet
Boum
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Petula Clark
Que Rest-il De Nos Amours
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L茅o Ferr茅
Les Temps Difficiles
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Juliette Gr茅co
Jolie M么me
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Georges Brassens
Les Roi Des Cons
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Georges Brassens
Le Gorille
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Jacques Brel
Madeline
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Jacques Brel
Ne Me Quitte Pas
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00:12Charles Trenet
La Mer
Singer: Charles Trenet. Orchestra: Guy Luypaert and His Orchestra. -
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00:22Nina Simone
Ne Me Quitte Pas
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Jacques Brel
L'Ivrogne
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Petula Clark
Un Enfant
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Juliette Gr茅co
Parlez-Moi De L'Amour
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Juliette Gr茅co
Paris Connait
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Barbara
Nantes
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Barbara
L'Aigle Noir
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Charles Aznavour
Mes Emmerdes
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Charles Aznavour
She
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Gilbert B茅caud
Je T'Attends
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Fran莽oise Hardy
Tous Les Gar莽ons Et Les Filles
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Fran莽oise Hardy
Mon Amie La Rose
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Brigitte Bardot & Serge Gainsbourg
Comic Strip
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Brigitte Bardot & Serge Gainsbourg
Harley Davidson
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France Gall
Poup茅e De Cire Poup茅e De Son
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Petula Clark
La Gadoue
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Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin
Ballade De Melody Nelson
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Anna Karina
Sous Le Soliel Exactement
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Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg
Je t'aime...moi non plus
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Alain Souchon
La Foule Sentimentale
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脡tienne Daho
La Peau Dure
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T锚tes Raides
Emma (feat. Jeanne Moreau)
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Anna Karina
Mes Yeux Pour Pleurer
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Stromae
Tout Les Memes
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Stromae
Alors En Danse
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Zaz
On Ira
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Zaz
Je Veux
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Zaz
Paroles Paris Sera Toujours Paris
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Georges Brassens & Charles Aznavour
Boum
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Petula Clark |
| Producer | Celia Moore |
| Executive Producer | Nick de Grunwald |
| Director | George Scott |
Broadcasts
- Fri 15 May 2015 21:00
- Sat 16 May 2015 01:00
- Sun 17 May 2015 23:30
- Sat 6 Feb 2016 23:45
- Thu 11 Feb 2016 01:00
- Fri 28 Oct 2016 22:00
- Sat 29 Oct 2016 01:40
- Thu 20 Jul 2017 00:00
- Wed 28 Feb 2018 00:00
- Sun 8 Jul 2018 02:00
- Fri 21 Dec 2018 23:55
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