Anatomy of fall’ analysis and P.I.M.P.
Understanding the movie through the song. Enjoyed the cold evening, cozily covered with all the blankets I found at home, the heater on, warm tea, just myself, Tove the cat, and 2.5 hours of ‘Anatomy of Fall’. The music added a new layer to the film! The broken sound of Chopin’s fourth prelude played by the blind boy is hauntingly intense, with anger, played incorrectly, with missed keys.
Of course, the main song – “P.I.M.P. cover (can you believe it? In a Cannes-winner film) ”played several times throughout the movie, at a very high volume is essential for understanding what happened. Was it intended to humiliate, a feeble attempt at dominance, or an extremely sophisticated way to express jealousy from the perspective of a talented music teacher and writer? It evokes feelings of surprise and discomfort, as viewers know THE lyrics but can’t hear the words. This creates a dark-humorous twist because the song is played at such inappropriate moments that all you can do is laugh at how weird and out of place it is. Despite its misogynistic context, no one can deny that this catchy beat undeniably became a game-changer in the history of music!
The film is quite monotonous yet so intriguing to explore how the viewer’s perception of the main character evolves during the film. A great directorial touch: dialogues are in three languages – two spoken and one in the mind. Sandra is asked in French, responds in English, but still preserves her German mindset. Another powerful moment is when the boy retells his dad’s monologue – a pivotal speech that impacts the entire trial. We see his dad speaking, but it’s with the boy’s voice. This creates a sense of uncertainty: what if the dad was saying something different, not what the boy remembers? Perhaps the boy is manipulating his memory to protect his mom.
***
Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band are now on my running playlist – afrobeat and funk fusion from Germany that make a distinctive sound of clattering the casserole in the kitchen. They became popular with melodic covers of 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. I’ve always loved the melody and rhythm of ‘P.I.M.P.,’ which was undoubtedly a disruptor during its time, thanks to its catchy beats and 50 Cent’s charismatic delivery. However, it’s something I’d never listen to at high volume with lyrics. I’m happy to find a ‘silent’ cover without words – creative and infectious, offering a new perspective on the song.
For those (too academic and nurdy), unfamiliar with the underlying controversial aspect of the song. It covers all the popular hip-hop themes in 2000-s that are now perceived as inappropriate and misogynistic content (showing hatred and prejudice against women) through sexual objectification, the approval and endorsement of violence against women, a lack of trust in them, the demeaning of sex workers, and the romanticization of pimping.