Sylvain Chomet Made A Music Video With Europop Star Stromae

Director Sylvain Chomet of Triplets of Belleville and The Illusionist fame, has lately been on a mission to prove that he can do anything. First he directed a memorable couch gag for The Simpsons, and now he’s made a music video with Belgian pop star Stromae, who launched his first headlining tour in North America this spring.

Released today, Chomet’s video is for the track “Carmen” from Stromae’s album Racine carrée. Drawing on Georges Bizet’s opera, Stromae’s “Carmen” has been out for a while, but Chomet’s visuals add a new layer of astringent commentary to the song’s criticisms of disposable social media culture.

The music video reunites some of the key players from The Simpsons opening, including Neil Boyle, who handled lead animation duties alongside Chomet, and Kirk Hendry, who was the project’s lead compositor and lighting designer.

Chomet, who most recently directed the live-action feature Attila Marcel, is currently developing a live-action/animated hybrid The Thousand Miles based on unpublished writings and art by Italian director Federico Fellini. The film tells the story of a middle-aged count who participates in Le Mille Miglia (The Thousand Miles), an open-road car race that took place in Italy throughout the first half of the 20th century.

“CARMEN” CREDITS
Directed by Sylvain Chomet
Written by Sylvain Chomet and Orelsan
Lead animation: Neil Boyle, Sylvain Chomet
Background layout: Marcin Lichowski
Lead compositor/lighting designer: Kirk Hendry
Animators: Nicolette van Gendt, Andy Powell
Assistants: Alan Henry, Aude Carpentier, Slaven Reese, Gerald Gallego
Digital ink and paint: Donna Spencer, Spidereye, B Animation
Compositors: Sean Martin, Shiv Pandya, Tim Sanpher, James Gifford, Corinne Ladeinde
Produced at th1ng