Anna Karina is distinct for making eye contact with you as you watch her in a film acting as a character who is aware that she is acting in a film. No big deal in movies nowadays, but in the pre-postmodern 1960s, it was some crazy shit. A powerful act made from a powerless situation. On one hand, she breaks down the biggest wall in her art form and demands you to acknowledge her. On the other hand, her every movement is dictated by a director and his demands. In Anna’s case, Jean-Luc Godard, whose films I gained an appreciation for through the young homie Matt Jay.

We met Matt when he was in high school in Portland and kept in touch while he was studying film in NYC. It was after he wrote about some Godard film on his blog that I saw Vivre Sa Vie, which was the film that replayed most in my head when I wrote Anna Karina. So it only made sense that Matt, the guy who hipped me to Anna Karina, be the one to direct the video for the song Anna Karina, inspired by Anna Karina herself, and shot masterfully in a single take at the Ace Hotel (New York).

get Blue Scholars “Cinemetropolis” album here.