Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo wrote and directed the 74 minute robot epic, Electroma, as a conceptual complement to the duo’s 2005 album Human After All (Virgin). Composed of five set-pieces and shot on 35 mm film stock in the California deserts, the film follows the leather clad avatars of Daft Punk, Hero Robots #1 and #2, down perpetual highways and endless deserts in the pursuit of humanity. Devoid of dialogue and anything from the Daft Punk catalogue, the film floats on the potency of lingering camera sequences and stark cinematography.
The characterization of Electroma as “experimental” and “inexcessible”, by critics and viewers alike shouldn’t come as a surprise. Bangalter and Homem revolt against the conventions of even their previous efforts D.A.F.T. and Interstella 5555, transposing Brian Eno and Curtis Mayfield into their dialectic on humanity.
Since the number of films by french auteurs, set in americanesque landscapes, that end happily, probably numbers around five, its safe to assume that our heroes don’t get their happily ever after. At one point in the film, the robots emerge from the care of invisible technicians in a bleach white operating room, with flesh colored liquid latex and mr. potato head prosthetics applied to their helmets. Symbolically human, the heroes are subjected to the scrutiny, fear, and misunderstanding of their robot brethen, as their brand new faces begin to melt in the sun.
The heroes eventually succumb to hopelessness and resolve to self destruct. Unable to do so by himself after the destruction of his partner, Robot #2’s only recourse is to smash his helmet to pieces and set himself on fire, unknowingly acquiring some semblance of humanity amidst self sacrifice and imperfection as he burns in the desert night.
-Justin Mitchell
Daft Punk’s Electroma
Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo
DVD, Blu-Ray Disc, 74 Min., Vice Records
www.electroma.org
Daft Punk: www.daft-musique.com
Vice Records: www.vicerecords.com