Interview with Neil Young about his film Point d'Impact and Eurovision Song Contest 2022
Still from Point d'Impact by Neil Young
It’s officially Eurovision Song Contest week. The first semi-final starts tonight, followed by the second semi-final on Thursday, May 12, and the Grand Final on Saturday, May 14. Timings and information about how to watch all three events can be found here.
In the 12 years of the blog, I’ve only written two short posts about Eurovision, a film about Junior Eurovision called Sounds Like Teen Spirit and when Terry Wogan passed away in 2016. But out of the very few constants in my life, watching the Eurovision Song Contest is an annual tradition, and I still have the hope to one day watch it in person.
I was considering attending this year’s competition in Turin, but other plans got in the way. Another reason I wanted to be in Turin this week was to watch a film called Point d’Impact by film critic and film curator/programmer Neil Young at Cinema Massimo (screening on May 13 at 8.30pm).
The film is a collation of “reaction videos” to Gjon's Tears, Switzerland’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020 with the song Répondez-moi, and in 2021 with Tout l’Univers. It starts with Celine Dion who represented Switzerland in 1988 with the song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.
Since I can’t be in Turin to ask Neil about his film and talk about Eurovision (and films in general because he’s also a film festival buddy of mine), he agreed to a rapid Q&A for the blog.
When did you start getting interested in Eurovision?
1976, when Brotherhood Of Man won for the UK. I was 5. My interest has waxed and waned since then, waxing firmly from the run-up to the 2021 event and continuing since then!
Why Gjon's Tears?
I was idly discussing ESC 2021 with a Scottish pal when he asked me who I fancied. I hadn't seen any of the entries at that point, so I started with the betting odds and made my way down the top few fancies.
When I saw the video for Tout l’Univers I was bowled over, was convinced Gjon had a much better chance of winning than the bookies thought, put my own money on at odds of 16/1, and followed his fortunes in the semi (which he won outright) and the final (where he won the jury vote and finished 3rd overall) with great interest.
Why reaction videos?
This dates back to my 2019 film Rihaction, which consists of 37 reaction videos to Tom Holland's Lip Sync Battle from 2017, where he performs to Rihanna's Umbrella. I think I was always semi-subconsciously pondering a followup and at a certain point the penny dropped that this could and should be about Gjon and his 2020 and 2021 ESC entries.
Favourite performers at Eurovision 2022.
Nadir Rustamli (Azerbaijan), Konstrakta (Serbia), Stefan (Estonia), Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord (Greece), Systur (Iceland) and Subwoolfer (Norway).
It's a strong year!
Who will win? Who should win?
I think if anyone can beat Ukraine it's Sweden (and I have put money on them to do so with UK bookies today), though I do hold out hope that Greece can somehow spring a surprise.
Should win: Serbia, the all-round best Eurovision entry in my limited 46-year experience!
Thanks Neil. If you are in Turin, and free on May 13, the day between the 2nd Semi-Final and the Grand Final, you can watch Neil Young’s film Pointe d’Impact at Cinema Massimo in The National Museum of Cinema. It will be followed by a discussion between Neil and Dominik Sobolewski.
I leave you with my top 4 at this year’s contest:
Greece: Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord - Die Together
Her voice!
Norway: Subwoolfer - Give That Wolf A Banana
It’s cheeky, funny, entertaining and danceable. “Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum”
Serbia: Konstrakta - In Corpore Sano
It starts with “Koja li je tajna zdrave kose Megan Markl?” (Translation: What could be the secret of Meghan Markle‘s healthy hair?)
Ukraine: Kalush Orchestra - Stefania
Despite the ‘fun’ factor of the Eurovision Song Contest, it is deeply political. Everything is, and Ukraine’s participation this year is even more important. Who is on whose side will be evident tonight based on which countries will vote for it and which ones won’t.
Having said that, Ukraine should’ve won last year.