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What a Disgrace
Disgrace music supervisor Gary Seeger is celebrating his role in the creation of the film starring John Malkovich.
Gary Seeger is enjoying the highlight of his 25 year music career this month with the release of Disgrace, a film which saw him chosen as music supervisor. The film, starring John Malkovich, was a coup for director Steve Jacobs and writer Anna Maria Monticelli, two Australians who snatched the film rights to the J.M. Coetzee's Man Booker prize winning novel over more prominent overseas filmmakers.
Disgrace marks an important point in Seeger's career as well, and he was shocked when he got the job after the first meeting. "I read the book a few years ago and being married to a South African, I knew the importance of it," he said.
The film is set in South Africa, telling the story of an English professor who leaves his job after an affair with one of his students. After resigning, he visits his daughter's house in a remote part of the South African countryside, only to find tension and drama on the small farm.
Seeger's creative brief for the film was to find a mix of "classical works, township jazz and some South African pop hits from the period." In order to this, Seeger began his research with his South African contacts, his wife's relatives, and listened to as many songs from the period that he could find. Mostly his selection draws from two genres: classical and traditional South African music, and he explains that his choice of music is intended to illustrate the path that Malkovich's character, David Lurie, takes throughout the film. "His home territory is full of literature, art, fine wine and classical music," Seeger explains, which needs to contrast with "his seedy life in the prostitute areas with buskers and market areas buzzing with life."
After receiving a positive critical reception internationally, Seeger feels vindicated that his initial response to the film was correct and he feels proud to have been involved. "It's adapted from a book that I love, I have a connection with South Africa, I'm a fan of John Malkovich, and I just had that feeling that it has all the ingredients of becoming a classic."
Disgrace is playing in cinemas now. The Disgrace soundtrack is out now through Universal Music.