In my own corner of the world (Philadelphia), like others in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re coming upon late summer solstice. The dog days, as they say, are here. (where the hell did they ever come up with that one, I’ll never know). This summer is slowly passing into memory, but that’s fine. Did you do something wonderful that you’ll remember forever? Did you have great music to carry you? I know I did. I listened to my old favorites and made new ones along the way. You meet up with your old friends during summer and you meet all of their friends who very soon, they become your friends as well. All my fondest memories of summers long past have had songs attached to them. In most if not all of the music I listen to now, I can find a memory that it goes with. I remember quite distinctly the most important summer of all my life.(no, not the one where I lost my virginity…geez, Louise, I was only thirteen for pity’s sake and I wasn’t even thinking of boys then). No, it was the one I would have to be without my brother for the first time. It was the summer before I was to start high school and my brother was moving away to college, yet as a parting gift, he gave me free reign over his room and his treasure trove of music. And a treasure trove it was. That one summer I introduced myself to all those bands that still to this very day speak volumes to my heart: The Cure, The Smiths, The Clash, The Ramones, Joy Division, New Order, OMD, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Talking Heads, Blondie, Gary Numan, David Bowie and a whole slew of others I don’t have time to name. Some of the music from these video clips are from my old musical friends. I’ve met others since then that have become important to me and represent great summer memories. What are yours? Below I’ve included for your listening pleasure, one of my all time favorite summer songs, Don’t Change by INXS. Memories of my first trip to band camp come to mind. I remember this song coming on in the bus while we were riding, and we all broke out in jamming, ecstatic song. When it was over we were sad but we were laughing like a bunch of fools. It was wonderful.
Bel Ami has given us summer songs of their own in a very real sense throughout the years, in many of their films: the Frisky Summer series in particular, and those that they shot on location in South Africa. These have given us memories as we view them, as they help create the story of the studio. Like all of their films, the Frisky Summer series of films are so enjoyable to watch. The first time I watched these, the boys’ tomfoolery had me laughing and smiling. I was having such a great time that I totally forgot that these were supposed to be hardcore films. The photography, as in all their films, is stunningly beautiful. Woods, countrysides, old buildings, water parks and lakes, streams (yes, I’m a water baby…get me to water and you’ll never see me again. *grin), beaches, places I wished I could go to but being in a fairly large city, doesn’t offer much escape for this nature girl. I would just lay on my bed and watch in envy, wishing I could be again in places like those in these films. I find myself going back to summers of my youth, going to my favorite lookout at the duck pond behind my parents’ house. Secluded, and alone I can do as I pleased and often did. When I got older, I would bring my boyfriends to this place with me. It would be in this woodland place I would find my second home. In these films you can go back to those fond memories of your youth, and come away with a big, shit-eating grin on your face.
To help celebrate these amazing films and bring the summer to a close I thought I’d share some mash-up videos I created from the Frisky Summer series. The scenes I ended up choosing are mostly the highlights, and my personal favorites. I couldn’t include everything, sadly. I have to leave something for you guys to discover, don’t I? I can’t tell all of it. I believe only one cumshot managed to cleverly escape my editing board….oops! One out of so many isn’t bad. 😉 Hope I’ll be forgiven.
Frisky Summer 1: Best Friends (1995, dir. George Duroy)
Music clips taken from: 1) Dear Prudence, Siouxsie and the Banshees, taken from Hyaena; 2) Just Like Heaven, The Cure, taken from Kiss, Kiss, Kiss
Frisky Summer 2: Sebastian (1996, dir. George Duroy)
Music clip taken from The Edge of Forever, The Dream Academy, taken from their self-titled album
Frisky Summer 3: Wild Strawberries (1998, dir George Duroy)
Music clips taken from 1) Underneath the Stars, The Cure, taken from their album, 4:15 Dream; 2) Heaven, The Psychedelic Furs, taken from the album, Mirror Moves.
Frisky Summer 4: Summer Loves (2002, dir. George Duroy)
Music clips taken from 1) Meet Me On The Equinox, Death Cab For Cutie, taken from Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack; 2) As the World Falls Down, David Bowie, taken from Labyrinth soundtrack (I couldn’t resist using this one..it’s been waiting in the wings, waiting for the right opportunity, and I love this one); 3) Goodnight (edit), Six Organs of Admittance, taken from Shelter From the Ash.
All video and music clips remain the sole property of their copyright holders and no copyright infringement is intended.