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Félicia Atkinson Reimagines Cult Horror in New Album ‘Sans Visage’
French composer Félicia Atkinson is bridging the gap between avant-garde composition and cult cinema with her upcoming album, Sans Visage. The project is a wholesale reinvention of the score for Georges Franju’s cult horror classic Les Yeux Sans Visage, transforming a cinematic piece into a standalone sonic experience.
The album is scheduled for release on June 26, with the first taste of the project, a single titled “Les Yeux II,” available now. While the full score spans 90 minutes, the upcoming record features a curated 34-minute cut of the work.
From Performance Art to Record
The origins of Sans Visage trace back to the Belgian cultural center Viernulvier, where Atkinson originally developed the score for the Videodroom series. By bringing the project to a record format, Atkinson allows listeners to engage with the atmospheric tension of the original film through a modern compositional lens.
The source material—Franju’s film—is known for its unsettling narrative involving a surgeon obsessed with performing a facial skin graft on his daughter. Rather than simply mirroring the horror, Atkinson uses her music to shift the emotional perspective of the story.
“Through the music, I decided to bring back [the characters’] empowerment despite what they endure,” Atkinson stated in a press release.
A Dedication to Strength and Resilience
Beyond its cinematic ties, Sans Visage carries a heavy emotional weight. Atkinson has dedicated the record to Gisèle Pelicot, a French rape survivor. The composer noted that Pelicot’s trial took place while she was in the process of composing the music, which deeply influenced the work’s thematic direction.
Atkinson explained that she was moved by Pelicot’s resilience, adding, “I kept thinking of her strength and her decision to share her trial in order to reverse the shame.”
Expanding a Diverse Discography
This project continues Atkinson’s exploration of experimental soundscapes, following her previous solo records Space as an Instrument and Promenades. Her productivity remains high; just last month, she released Reflections Vol. 3: Water Poems, a collaborative effort with Christina Vantzou.
Key Takeaways: Sans Visage
- Release Date: June 26.
- The Concept: A reinvention of the score for Georges Franju’s Les Yeux Sans Visage.
- Format: A 34-minute condensed version of a full 90-minute score.
- Origins: Originally created for the Videodroom series at the Viernulvier cultural center in Belgium.
- Core Theme: A focus on character empowerment and a dedication to the strength of survivor Gisèle Pelicot.
FAQ
What is the inspiration behind the album Sans Visage?
The album is inspired by the cult horror film Les Yeux Sans Visage directed by Georges Franju. Atkinson reinvented the score to highlight the empowerment of the characters despite their suffering.
Is Sans Visage a full soundtrack?
While the original score Atkinson composed is 90 minutes long, the album release is a 34-minute edit of that work.
Who is Félicia Atkinson?
Félicia Atkinson is a French composer known for her solo experimental records and collaborative projects, including recent work with Christina Vantzou.