Michel Gondry‘s career has had some interesting twists and turns over the years, taking him on fantastically odd tangents through Rubik’s Cube themed internet videos and art installations. There’s a definite trajectory that can be traced through all of it though, and it becomes most apparent when you look at the last few years. The community aspects of Dave Chappelle’s Block Party and the DIY imagineering in The Science of Sleep mated to bring Be Kind Rewind into the world. like some of the projects that preceded it, Be Kind Rewind has evolved into much more than a feature film. Last February, Gondry worked with Deitch Projects to recreate the video store from the film in their gallery space, complete with a back lot with a number of movie sets, allowing visitors to create their own remake in the vein of the those in the film. He has now taken that mentality out of the movie, beyond the gallery, and (he hopes) into your backyard. This month, he published a manifesto of sorts, called You’ll Like This Film Because You’re In It: The Be Kind Rewind Protocol. It offers insight into Be Kind Rewind and the projects that came out of it, and also seeks to inspire people and communities to make their own movies, work together outside of the commercial world, and build a network of creativity. For more info, and a great interview, head over to Ain’t It Cool.
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