They overlook the ghostly silhouette of the singer in the apocalyptic visual of the poster. Last night, the crows of Mylène Farmer materialized in a big way on the front of the Grand Rex and hundreds of other cinemas for the theatrical broadcast of the concert film “Nevermore”, supervised by Pathé Live. A month after the end of the artist's pharaonic tour, which ended with three concerts at the Stade de France and an enigmatic surprise message, the icon of French song invited his devoted fans into the dark rooms to relive the fervor of his last show in optimal conditions. With a recording orchestrated during concerts given by Mylène Farmer at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon on June 23 and 24, 2023, the direction of the film is once again by François Hanss, whose first collaboration with the artist dates back to 1990 with “En Concert Le Film”. Since the “Mylenium Tour”, he has been its official director and the exercise remains a privilege in his eyes. “ It's a bit like a mass. Filming Mylène who communicates with her audience is a bit like being outside of time » he confides in the pages of M The magazine of the World.
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And this communion, as rare as it is indescribable for the public who devote a true cult to the star, transcended the screen of the Grand Rex this Thursday evening. On alert as soon as the countdown appears announcing the start of the session, the thousands of spectators in the Parisian room, many wearing t-shirts bearing the image of Mylène Farmer or “Nevermore” cups exclusive to this screening, exulted and chanted the singer's name as soon as the first image appeared, in tune with the crowd massing in the Lyon arena to the melody of “Bottle to the Sea “, song composed by Moby unfairly absent from the show's setlist. During this session like no other, they will give a roaring ovation at the end of each song, get up to dance to “Oui mais… non” – to the applause, the most explosive moment of the epic “Nevermore” – and will sing, of course, with the same voice on the anthem “Désenchantée”, which definitely crosses all generations. Exactly like in a concert, in short! A contagious and exhilarating energy that will increase tenfold when the singer herself appears on the balcony of the Grand Rex to greet the crowd, taking advantage of an interlude to reveal her secret presence. Completely crazy!
A titanic work restored
But then, what is this film “Nevermore” worth? The masterful work of François Hanss, engraved on high-resolution film, truly does justice to all the excess of Mylène Farmer's show, whose staging as macabre as it is grandiose is undoubtedly one of her greatest successes , all eras combined. With the multiple points of view of the cameras, immersed as close as possible to the public in the pits or in the stands, impressive aerial shots captured by drones and a love given to every detail, we rediscover with wonder the show in another light. The 16 dancers, whose work was a little invisible during the concerts, the attention of the giant screens logically focusing on Mylène Farmer, are finally entitled to their moments of grace and bravery, in particular on the medley “Remember” where their bodies intertwine in a choreography enhanced by the lights reflecting on their outfits.
VIDEO – Mylène Farmer invites Seal to sing “Les mots” at the Stade de France
Under the close eye of the cameras, the costumes, in fact, find all their brilliance. From the red hair embroidered on his entrance jacket to perfect the illusion of a flamboyant mane to the stained blouse on the sleeves of Libertine, to the asymmetrical checks worn by each dancer on “Sans counterfaçon”, the care taken by the Belgian stylist Olivier Theyskens is divine. And what can we say about the majestic, imposing decorations, which are full of finesse! The doors of the cathedral are sprinkled with gold paint, the scarecrows are cut into shreds, the stained glass windows are sculpted in the shape of a rose window, the crosses which rise like a dire omen are licked by the flames… This that we could not admire during the stage experience comes to life here. And this is the real luck of having been able to discover the film “Nevermore” in a cinema. Only small regret? Not finding in the image the magnificent duo between Mylène Farmer et Seal : in Lyon, the star performed “The other…”. As for those who were unable to attend this exceptional screening, good news: the concert of Mylène Farmer will soon be broadcast on television on W9 and a release on DVD/Blu-Ray for the end-of-year holidays is highly probable.
