SIFF Face The Music 2015 Review : Eden

Eden(Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve, France, 2014)

The semi-biographical film Eden, directed by Mia Hansen-Løve, is a lifestyle portrait of young French people in love with house music called Garage. The film focuses on two main characters, Paul (DJ) and Stan (Party Promoter), who are growing up during the early '90s to early 2010. The film captures their love life, friendship, and life dreams of becoming one of top DJs of world. It’s a SEX & DRUGS & GARAGE film with historical views on how House music took over the world in the '90s. The film kept a few extended party scenes without dialog, and it's the best way you can show people what this music is about. You couldn't explain it any better than showing people singing and dancing to "Promised Land" by Joe Smooth. Impressive and accurate soundtrack choices, and without a doubt the music, is amajor role of Eden. From Rave to Garage, there's music from Jaydee, Sueno Latino, Aly US, The Orb, Frankie Knuckles, Aaron Smith, Juliet Roberts, Joe Smooth, Liquid, Jasper Street Company, Rosie Gaines, MK, Byron Stingily, The African Dream, Terry Hunter, Cheek, KOT, Octave One, Jonn Cutler, Masters At Work, India, Angie Stone, Crystal Waters, and Joey Beltram (and this is not all!). With very realistic scenes of early rave parties to underground club nights, this should take you back to the days of dancing and smiling.

The name "Garage" comes from the music Larry Levan played at Paradise Garage NY in the '80s. At that time, it was not a specific genre of music he played, but his unique DJ style mixing up wide spectrum of music like Disco, Rock, Hip-hop, Latin, Soul, Funk, and New wave. With his vast knowledge, he chose those songs when no other DJ did, and his style still continues to inspire many DJs today. In the early '80s, various producers started putting out House music in different styles. One style we used to call "Soulful House Music," and those songs often sing about positivity, unity, freedom, love, and pain. That is what became known as the sound of Garage House today.

When I saw in this film, I realized things weren't so different from what happened here in Seattle. We'd throw many parties ourselves, anywhere we could: basements, warehouses, lounges at old restaurants. Once I drove up to the pass where the sound system played music under the Metro Shower until sunrise. Then we cleaned up the place and sorted out the money (just as Paul and Stan did in Eden). By the time Daft Punk (who have a cameo appearance in Eden) played at The Showbox, we had hosted and played House, Garage and Acid Jazz in Seattle as well. Those who remember our little House scene may find yourself in the film Eden. Were you a DJ? Dancer? Promoter? Drug Dealer? We were all party people then.