IT'S ELECTRIC

Daft Punk looks to the future in their new film, Electroma

by Dani Garcia



French duo Daft Punk, known best for their groundbreaking electronic music, continues to build their movie-making resume with their new robotic epic, Electroma. Originally screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006, Electroma tells the tale of two robots and their journey as they attempt to become humans. Up until now, the film has only been shown a handful of times throughout Europe, and Chicago just happens to be home to one of the first U.S. screenings, with a late-night viewing, presented by UR Chicago and Prime Time of Your Life, scheduled for Friday at the Metro.

Electroma marks a series of firsts for Daft Punk: It's their first movie without any of their own music included. Chris Baronner -- aka Prime Time of Your Life DJ Bald Eagle -- says the duo's decision to "only be filmmakers is not so much a smart one, but a meaningful one. I think their aesthetic and image is one of the best in modern music. When the time is right I'm sure they'll make more music."

The film is also a bit of a departure from their last, Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem. An anime movie released back in 2003, Interstella was the visual interpretation of their album Discovery. When comparing the two, Baronner says, "I think it will be way more human. Yeah, I said it, and it's cliché. Interstella had lots of different emotions throughout the film, but it's a cartoon, so at the end of it all it's not real. Or [maybe] it is. Is it any more real than robots visiting a desert town?"

In keeping with the French theme, house music sensation Mr. Oizo will be making his Chicago debut with a two-hour set following the movie. "It all ties in together quite nicely," Baronner says. "I really don't have any idea what to expect live, but seeing that he is on Ed Banger Records, I doubt anyone coming will leave disappointed."

Bald Eagle and Popstatic will also take their turns behind the decks. On his own scheduled set, Baronner says he's made plans to do a tribute of sorts to Daft Punk, which could possibly include their music, some of their touring mates' music and anything current on the French music scene. "I'm leaving all options available I suppose, but [it'll] definitely [be] a sweet tribute," he says.

Electroma screens at Metro (3730 N. Clark, 773/549-0203) Friday, July 13 at 11 p.m.; Mr. Oizo makes his Chicago debut afterward