BARBARELLA

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the movie Barbarella. Combination of camp, sex romp, fairy tale and morality play, it's a film that doesn't take itself too seriously even though it touches on such serious subject matter, like war, suicide, addiction and the nature of evil. While in it's initial run it was a commercial and critical failure, vhs, dvd and arthouse runs have built for this film an ever growing and loyal following. The fashion and design elements of this quirky film have been appropriated many times in everything from comercial motion pictures to music and such myriad realms as theatre and advertising. There was even a musical made of it.

Besides, any movie that starts with a zero g strip tease, a shag cockpit and such groovy, swinging music is begging for you to join in on the fun. And while this film, in our time, seems silly and inconsequential, it's frank view of sex made for rough going on it's initial run.

In Jean-Claude Forest's(Creator of Barbarella) obituary in the New York times, Guy Vidal, Director of Comic Strips at Dargaud is quoted as saying

''Barbarella'' tested the limits of French censorship,-" ''There have been those who helped unlock censorship,'' he said. ''Forest was one of them.''

In additional quotes the article goes on to say

"It was not until the producer Dino de Laurentiis bought the film rights to ''Barbarella'' that the character gained world fame. The film also helped ignite Jane Fonda's movie career.

The movie, directed by Roger Vadim, her husband, was released in June 1968, just after the May social upheaval in France, which reflected the revolt against traditional French morality. Mr. Forest designed most of the sets for the production, which was shot in Rome.

Ms. Fonda's shiny, form-fitting space age outfits stirred the imaginations of designers. Barbarella-style creations by Jean-Paul Gaultier were featured in the 1997 film ''The Fifth Element.''

For a film that was initially a flop, Barbarella continue to exert it's influence. British Pop group Duran Duran derives it name from the villianous concierge Durand Durand. In homage to their namesake,the band in 1985 produced a concert movie, Arena,where Milo O'Shea reprised his role as the evil genius. Such diverse artists as Prince, and the Stone Temple Pilots make reference to or mention of the film's title character in their music.

Paco Rabbane and Jacques Fonteray created the marvelous costumes that adore the likes of Barbarella, Durand Durand and the great Tyrant. For as awful as the acting in this movie can be, However cheesy it's special effect(many which were very costly in their time), the look seductive, intrigue, trippy imagery of this film is one of it's strengths and has provide the film with an endure longevity.

Design being is a visual medium I will include links to my yahoo group where you can find more images from the film and other articles of interest.

http://picasaweb.google.com/aeion7/ScienceFashion
http://barbarella.mon-oueb.com/index.php
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sciencefashion/

P.S Suffice to say that as a possessor of a red vinyl LP of Bob Crewe and Charles Fox's soundtrack to the film, I'll definitely reference this film more in future posts.