Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (soundtrack)
Pinocchio (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | December 9, 2022 | |||
Recorded | 2021–2022 | |||
Genre | Film soundtrack | |||
Length | 84:31 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | Alexandre Desplat | |||
Alexandre Desplat chronology | ||||
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Singles from Pinocchio (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) | ||||
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Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is the soundtrack album to the 2022 stop-motion animated musical dark fantasy film of the same name. Based on the 1883 Italian novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, and Gris Grimly's design from his 2002 edition of the novel, the film, directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson, stars Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Christoph Waltz, and Tilda Swinton. The score is composed by Alexandre Desplat in his second collaboration with del Toro after The Shape of Water (2017). The album featuring the original score and songs were set for release digitally on December 9, 2022 and in physical formats on December 16 by Columbia Records.
Background
[edit]On August 23, 2012, Australian musician Nick Cave was reported to be involved in the project, but could not do so and the film went into development hell,[1] until Netflix brought the film rights and revived the project in October 2018.[2] On January 8, 2020, Alexandre Desplat was reported to compose the film score, thereby collaborating with del Toro, for the second time after The Shape of Water (2017).[3] While discussing the film's music in Deadline Hollywood's Sound & Screen interview, Desplat said, "Like in The Shape of Water, there are so many emotions. In both of these films, there are strong social and political content. In Pinocchio, it's fascism with the movie being set in 1930s Italy. All of this together creates tension that the music can convey."[4]
"I think the real key to it was always the emotion, trying to keep the vibrant heart of Pinocchio beating, and make sure that we always feel this innocence that he has. He doesn’t know anything about anything. But he believes in everything. He’s so open-minded. That’s the beautiful thing about Pinocchio."
As with most of the projects, Desplat began scoring for the film after seeing the film's rough cut since he likes to see the images to see how the actors move and interact with one another.[4] The score for Pinocchio was created mostly using wooden instruments[6] since Desplat likes "to find an ensemble of instruments that reflect the film or soul of the film" and the "softness" of the sound of wood. The sounds were implemented using assortment of woodwind, wooden percussions, strings, piano, harp, mandolin and guitar, and also an accordion made of wood.[7][5]
Del Toro and Desplat made their maiden attempt in songwriting and composition,[8] while Desplat's longtime friend and lyricist Roeban Katz had also contributed to the original songs. Desplat feels that working on original songs is "like a Lego game, as there is a big castle to build because there is this history of incredible songwriters before us for cinema and for animation — from the Sherman Brothers, Richard Rodgers to so many great songwriters.[6] So you’re trying to have a conversation with the past, and at the same time, you try to play with this Lego castle that you have in front of you and build the most beautiful object that you can."[7][5] He compared the musical style of Pinocchio to that of Cole Porter and George Gershwin.[8] The songs were interwoven into the film score, with new melodies being created. He added that "all the songs come back as instrumental motif through this score. They come back in many, many forms, different forms, shapes, tones, [tempo], and I think it gives the whole film continuity that would have been different if we would not have used the melody of the songs".[5] The original songs were performed by the film's cast members, and all of them were recorded at various places.[9][4] He added the songs are not lengthy, and it will not impact the film's storytelling.[6]
Composition
[edit]Del Toro wrote the original song "Ciao Papa," which he described as "the most moving song in the film, and the most important song. It talks about longing, it talks about the loss of a father, the loss of a son. It talks about the sort of wistful energy that, for me, is at the core of the tale of Pinocchio." Desplat added that the song was not interwoven into the score, hence it stands apart from the other musical numbers; he wanted it to be a unique moment focusing on the relationship between Pinocchio and Geppetto,[8] and added "The combination of these two words — ‘Ciao,’ which is Italian, and ‘Papa,’ which works in any language — I felt that if the melody was as simple as these two words, it would be very easy to remember and to catch for anyone."[7]
On "The Pine Cone" melody, Desplat wanted to capture Geppetto’s grief in a pivotal moment, as he loses his child. Desplat set the theme "to be dramatic, and at the same time, extremely moving without being over the top or too romantic", adding that it is "difficult to find the music of grief".[7][6] Desplat felt that Geppetto's son Carlo is the center of the film, in spite of his limited screen time, and that Pinocchio is the reincarnation of Carlo, adding, "It takes the whole film for Geppetto to admit that Pinocchio is his son replacing Carlo. That’s what Geppetto wants — he wants to find his little son again that he lost during the First World War." Hence for "Carlo's theme", he wanted to make the melody as similar to both characters, saying "It’s not only Carlo’s theme. It’s the theme of the little boy, of the lost soul — and of the hope that you have on your children to become one day, another person. As Pinocchio becomes Geppetto’s son, the theme takes over and becomes Pinocchio’s theme."[7]
Promotion and release
[edit]The track "Ciao Papa" was released as the single from the album on November 18.[10] The original soundtrack was announced by Columbia Records on the same date and is set for release digitally on December 9, followed by a physical release on December 16.
Live performances
[edit]Desplat conducted the film's score at Netflix Playlist, a showcase of music from film and television on November 7, 2022. Besides conducting the film's music, he also brought a young girl to perform "Ciao Papa" on stage. Steven Gizicki, the music supervisor of the film, had opined it as "one of Desplat's best scores".[11][12] He also appeared at the Deadline Hollywood's Sound & Screen conference and conducted the 60-piece orchestra at the live performance of the film score.[4]
Track listing
[edit]All music is composed by Alexandre Desplat.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Performer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Better Tomorrows" | Roeban Katz | Ewan McGregor | 4:16 |
2. | "Carlo's Theme" | (score) | 2:10 | |
3. | "My Son" | Guillermo del Toro | David Bradley | 2:48 |
4. | "Going to Town" | (score) | 3:11 | |
5. | "The Pine Cone" | (score) | 2:07 | |
6. | "Sebastian J Cricket" | (score) | 3:38 | |
7. | "Geppetto’s Creature" | (score) | 4:48 | |
8. | "Everything Is New to Me" | Katz, del Toro |
| 2:19 |
9. | "The Circus" | (score) | 2:23 | |
10. | "Pinocchio" | (score) | 1:42 | |
11. | "We Were a King Once" | Katz, del Toro | Christoph Waltz | 2:34 |
12. | "Spazzatura" | (score) | 2:56 | |
13. | "A Wooden Boy" | (score) | 2:21 | |
14. | "Memory of Carlo" | (score) | 1:57 | |
15. | "Friendship With Candlewick" | (score) | 1:25 | |
16. | "Ciao Papa" | Katz, del Toro | Mann | 2:48 |
17. | "Resurrection" | (score) | 1:41 | |
18. | "Pinocchio Has Left" | (score) | 1:57 | |
19. | "Small Lies" | (score) | 0:49 | |
20. | "Fatherland March" | Katz, del Toro, Patrick McHale | Mann | 1:36 |
21. | "In the Army" | (score) | 0:49 | |
22. | "Pinocchio Soldier" | (score) | 2:17 | |
23. | "Volpe’s Charm" | (score) | 1:37 | |
24. | "To Catania" | (score) | 1:41 | |
25. | "The Blue Fairy" | (score) | 2:31 | |
26. | "The Late Lamented" | del Toro, McHale | Tim Blake Nelson | 2:17 |
27. | "The Sphinx" | (score) | 1:39 | |
28. | "Capice" | (score) | 1:59 | |
29. | "Pinocchio's Solitude" | (score) | 0:58 | |
30. | "Il Duce" | (score) | 1:03 | |
31. | "My Bubblegum" | Katz, del Toro | Mann | 1:44 |
32. | "Paint Battle" | (score) | 2:37 | |
33. | "The Dogfish" | (score) | 0:46 | |
34. | "Shoot the Puppet" | (score) | 5:55 | |
35. | "The Mine" | (score) | 2:15 | |
36. | "Papa!" | (score) | 0:49 | |
37. | "Big Lies" | (score) | 2:19 | |
38. | "Saving Geppetto" | (score) | 1:14 | |
39. | "Pinocchio's Choice" | (score) | 1:37 | |
40. | "Big Baby II Duce March" | Katz, del Toro, McHale | Mann | 1:36 |
41. | "Farewell to Geppetto" | (score) | 0:23 | |
Total length: | 84:31 |
Reception
[edit]Mark Feeney of the Boston Globe wrote, "Alexandre Desplat’s score and songs — among other things, the movie’s sort of a musical — are a prime contributor to the sentimentality."[13] Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times said, "The songs, though, by composer Alexandre Desplat and often sporting Del Toro’s own lyrics, benefit from being interludes of feeling instead of big showy numbers, particularly the nicely turned 'Ciao Papa'".[14] Patrick Gibbs of Slug Magazine called the score as "gorgeous and lively".[15] Fred Topel of United Press International wrote, "The all new songs by Alexandre Desplat sound like a child making up a song as he goes along, rather than Disney songwriters."[16]
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
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Various | December 9, 2022 | Columbia | [17] | |
December 16, 2022 | CD |
Accolades
[edit]The song "Ciao Papa" for the film, is intended to be a potential contender for the Best Original Song category at the 95th Academy Awards, according to Billboard magazine.[18] Los Angeles Times critic Michael Ordoña hinted at the possibility of the song being nominated in various ceremonies, including the Academy Awards.[19] However, it wasn't nominated.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ Radish, Christina (August 23, 2012). "Screenwriter/Composer Nick Cave Talks LAWLESS, Transitioning into Screenwriting, Guillermo del Toro's PINOCCHIO, THE THREEPENNY OPERA, and More". Collider. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ Lang, Brent (October 22, 2018). "Guillermo del Toro Directing 'Pinocchio' for Netflix". Variety. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ "Alexandre Desplat to Reteam with Guillermo del Toro on Netflix Animated Movie 'Pinocchio'". Film Music Reporter. January 8, 2020. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Cordero, Rosy (November 11, 2022). "'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' Composer Alexandre Desplat On Working With Director: "If I See That He Is Crying, I Have It Right" – Sound & Screen". Deadline. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Verhoeven, Beatrice (November 8, 2022). "How Alexandre Desplat Kept the "Vibrant Heart" and "Innocence" of 'Pinocchio' Alive With His Score". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Ettenhofer, Valerie (November 11, 2022). "The Score For Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio Was Performed With Only Wooden Instruments". /Film. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Zee, Michaela (November 11, 2022). "'Pinocchio': Alexandre Desplat on Songwriting With Guillermo del Toro and Using Only Wood Instruments (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ a b c Utichi, Joe (October 11, 2022). "Guillermo Del Toro Enters Original Song Race With "Ciao Papa" From 'Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio'". Deadline. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (November 11, 2022). "Deadline's Sound & Screen Film Underway Spotlighting Music From 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever', 'Spirited', 'Nope', Diane Warren & More". Deadline. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Fuge, Jonathan (November 18, 2022). "Pinocchio Sings 'Ciao Papa' in New Song from Guillermo del Toro's Stop-Motion Fairytale". MovieWeb. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ Reul, Katie (November 8, 2022). "10 Biggest Takeaways From Netflix Playlist, a Film and Series Music Showcase". Variety. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 9, 2022). "Netflix Playlist Goes Live For First Time: 'Glass Onion' Johnson Cousins On Childhood Film Roots, Alexandre Desplat Conducts 'Pinocchio' & More". Deadline. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ Feeney, Mark (November 16, 2022). "'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' comes with some strings attached - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ Abele, Robert (November 8, 2022). "Review: 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' entertains and disarms". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Film Review: Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio". Slug Magazine. November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Movie review: 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' finds new heart, depth in classic". UPI. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ Grein, Paul (November 18, 2022). "Could Taylor Swift & Doja Cat Earn Oscar Nominations in 2023?". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Here's the best of the original song contenders in a curated Spotify playlist". Los Angeles Times. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (January 24, 2023). "Oscars: Full List of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (November 17, 2022). "Rihanna, Billy Eichner, Elvis, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio top Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) winners". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Grein, Paul (November 3, 2022). "Rihanna, Lady Gaga & More Nominated for 2022 Hollywood Music in Media Awards: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (December 10, 2022). "Washington DC Film Critics nominations: Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Fabelmans lead". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ Tallerico, Brian (December 12, 2022). "Everything Everywhere All at Once Leads Chicago Film Critics Nominations". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 19, 2022). "The 2022 Dallas Fort-Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (January 6, 2023). "The 2022 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 10, 2023). "Golden Globes: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (January 7, 2023). "2022 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (January 14, 2023). "2022 Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) winners". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 15, 2023). "Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ Darling, Cary (January 10, 2023). "'Everything Everywhere,' 'Banshees of Inisherin' top list of Houston critics' nominations". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Darling, Cary (February 18, 2023). "Everything, RRR, Banshees top Houston Film Critics' Awards". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ Ravindran, Manori; Yossman, K. J. (February 19, 2023). "All Quiet on the Western Front Dominates BAFTA Awards With Record-Breaking Seven Wins". Variety. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ IFMCA (February 24, 2023). "IFMCA Award Winners 2022". IFMCA. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (December 15, 2022). "A24's Everything Everywhere All at Once Leads HCA Film Awards Total Nominations With 16". Variety. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Moye, Clarence (February 24, 2023). "Everything Everywhere Leads 2023 HCA Awards with 7 Wins". Awards Daily. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 26, 2023). "'Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio' Wins Five Trophies Including the Top Prize at the 50th Annie Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.