‘Amelie’ director: Planned musical adaptation of film ‘disgusts me’

The director of the 2001 French movie “Amélie” has expressed his displeasure over the planned adaptation of his movie for the musical theater, although he acknowledged that he gave his approval for the stage production.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet said in a recent interview with a French radio station that the prospect of a musical version of his movie “disgusts me,” and that he only agreed to it for the money, which he plans to give to a children’s charity he helps support: Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque (Patronage for Cardiac Surgery).

“I absolutely loathe musical comedies, and I hate Broadway,” Jeunet said in the interview with RTL. “I see it as tackiness incarnate.”

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He added that the notion of a musical version of the movie “deeply disgusts me.”

“Amélie” is being turned in to a musical with music written by Dan Messé of the Brooklyn indie band Hem. The musical, which is being penned by playwright Craig Lucas, is still in the early stages of development. No dates or cities have been announced.

Whenever and wherever it opens, the film director most definitely won’t be in line to see the “Amélie” musical.

“I can tell you that I won’t go to see it, I don’t want to hear about it, I won’t listen to what they’re creating,” Jeunet said. “But if it brings in money, maybe I can save some lives.”

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Jeunet’s other screen directing credits include “A Very Long Engagement,” “The City of Lost Children” and “Delicatessen.” (The last two were co-directed with Marc Caro.)

“Amélie” starred Audrey Tautou as a young Parisian woman who becomes involved in the lives of her eccentric neighbors. The movie was an international hit and received five Academy Award nominations.

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