It’s going to be the summer of Sparks. Everything is really coming together for the hard-working U.S. art-rock band who have been plugging away at things for years. The idiosyncratic band is the spotlight of Edgar Wright‘s upcoming “The Sparks Brothers” documentary portrait about the creative group and their struggle to survive the ups and downs of the music business over at least five decades. But that’s not all. There’s also the upcoming “Annette,” the first English-language film from visionary director Leos Carax, with music by Sparks’ Ron and Russell Mael and based on their original story. “Annette” stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard and is set to open the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival in July.
With lyrics by Sparks and Carax, “So May We Start” features vocal performances by Sparks and the film’s stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, and Simon Helberg.
Here’s the official synopsis for “Annette.”
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Present-day Los Angeles. Henry is an outspoken stand-up comedian, Ann, a world-famous singer. They’re a happy celebrity couple, living life in the glare of the spotlight, but their world is turned upside-down by the birth of their first child, Annette, a mysterious little girl with an exceptional destiny. A Leos Carax film starring Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard and Simon Helberg, Annette is produced by Charles Gillibert (CG Cinéma International), Paul-Dominique Vacharasinthu (Tribus P. Films) and Adam Driver.
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Of the collaboration, Sparks said, “Initially, we conceived ‘Annette’ as another Sparks album. Yet this time, it would be a narrative story that would consist of three main characters, a small enough ensemble that would allow us to also present the ‘opera’ live on tour… The music, story, and album were finished and ready to go, which is where the story takes a huge detour. After meeting Leos at Cannes, we felt a real kinship, so we thought we would send him ‘Annette,’ not expecting anything other than to show him what Sparks was currently up to. And lo and behold, he said he really liked the album and would like to consider it as his next project. We were happily surprised and elated at his reaction. As fans of Leos’ films, to now realize that he would be directing a film of ours was beyond our dreams.”
“Annette,” director LEOS CARAX adds, “I discovered Sparks when I was about 14 – I stole a copy of Propaganda from an underground shop at La Défense because I liked the cover. Not long after that, I saw them live at the Olympia in Paris. Propaganda and their next album, Indiscreet, have been part of my life ever since. Their tracks are among the most joyous songs I know (although they’re poignant too, in places). For me, Sparks’ music is like a childhood home, but one free of ghosts. Without them, I don’t think I’d ever have done something I’d dreamt of doing ever since I first started out in cinema: making a ‘film in music.’”
Amazon Studios will release “Annette” in theaters on Friday, August 6, and on Amazon Prime Video Friday, August 20. Milan Records has no release date for the album yet, but presumably, that’ll arrive around the movie’s Amazon release. Listen to the single below.
June 25, 2021 Update: Another single from the movie has arrived. “We Love Each Other So Much” featuring Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard, and the band Sparks.