The 1993 film 'Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould,' directed by François Girard, presents a creative and unconventional portrayal of the legendary pianist. By employing various storytelling techniques—narrative, documentary Q&A, animation, and orchestral performance—Girard constructs a mosaic-like representation of Gould's life and artistry. Now re-released in the Criterion Collection, the film caters to a new audience, preserving Gould's eccentric legacy and innovative musical interpretations. Girard discusses his creative process and inspirations, illustrating how this film defies typical biopic formats.
It was refreshing to watch this film after now having sat through 30 years' worth of biopics of various musical figures. This movie removes pretty much all the baloney that most biopics think they need to include.
I started working on it, and then my film nature took over, and I saw the Thirty Two Short Films. It came very early on in the process, when I realized how well framed the discography was with the Goldberg Variations.
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