Michel Gondry

Michel Gondry is a French Academy award winning screenwriter, film, commercial and music video director.

Gondry started out directing music videos for his school band -Oui Oui. After the band went their separate ways Gondry was approached by Bjork and asked to direct her music video for Human Behaviour. Bjork was impressed with his work and went back to Gondry for him to direct five more of her videos. This gave Gondry worldwide exposure and eventually the likes of The Rolling Stones, Lenny Kravitz etc. wanted him to direct their videos.

Gondry also directed commercials for big brand names such as Nike, Polaroid, Adidas etc.

Gondry also created new film techniques such as morphing and came up with the idea of using several cameras to take pictures at the time of somebody. Many people think that this technique was first used in 'The Matrix' however it was in fact used by Gondry in a commercial for insurance. 

Gondry’s abstract films are supported with his inventive visual style and manipulation of mise-en-scene. In much of his work Gondry has the theme of dreams with camera movements used to emphasise this. Audience expectations are challenged throughout his work because just when we think we know what is going on something completely unexpected happens. He also uses music to add to the audience’s feelings and to build tension.