BFI | Sight & Sound | The Best Music in Film

The Best Music in Film

(Rescored Dziga Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera)

S&S: What is your favourite film soundtrack music and why do you like it so much?: "Well, I think one of my favourite film soundtracks is O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000). The soundtrack is a compilation of old folk, bluegrass and gospel. It is a wonderful score, or should I say a wonderful compilation. The soundtrack in this specific film is so choreographed to the movie and visa versa. It poses the question, what came first the movie or the music? The soundtrack has such a feel good quality which enhances the specific scenes......"
S&S: In what ways does music best enhance a film?: "The film composer has to completely understand the scenes and the director's intention. A soundtrack works at it's best when it completely interacts with the movie. ie. Tempo, accents to the scene, edits, characters, mood, emotion. The music should, in a sense be the underscore. Suggestive and open........"
S&S: Which film either has music that you wished you'd written or is one you would like to rescore and why?: "La Haine (1995) is a great urban movie which would be a great challenge. It has a great 'hip hop' soundtrack already but would be interesting to subvert or change the meaning by adding a different kind of urban music. ie Cinematic Orchestra......It would in a way suggest a different kind of 'urban' ghetto."