leonardcohenforum.com

From http://comingsoon.net/news/topnews.php?id=10473
(Go and read the whole interview!)

CS!: How did you end up picking Jeff Buckley's version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" as the film's theme?

Weingartner: My girlfriend played it to me, and I couldn't stop listening to this song for half a year, and then we were editing and we had problems with the ending. Then, I said let's try it with some music, and the first song that came to my mind was "Hallelujah." So we put it on the soundtrack, and it was a moment I will never forget in my life. It was like pure magic. It was like this song was made for this sequence. It was incredible. It's these moments that you live for as an artist where things fall into place, and now I can only say the same thing as everybody who sees the movie is that the song perfectly enhances the characters feel. It's this broken "Hallelujah", the beauty of sadness. It's this feeling like you're floating in the universe. You're lonely on the one hand, but on the other hand, you're part of the universe.

It's indeed a beautiful movie. I guess the reason why Hallelujah fits so perfectly in so many movies is because Hallelujah is the soundtrack of our life.

Thanks for the link, can't wait to see the film. We have a German society at the University here, they show German films through the school year, I will send the link to the chair.

Hallelujah has become an anthem of sorts these days. A competitor on Canadian Idol sang it this week, I don't watch this show, but I heard he did a good job.

Hallelujah is the soundtrack of our life

Listened to the song yesterday and will pop it in again, this is probably why "everyone" wants to sing this song. They will probably be singing it 100 yrs from now. The Unitarian Church here in Fredericton Hallelujah in April. A couple of friends of mine go there.
[/quote]

Henning wrote:....I guess the reason why Hallelujah fits so perfectly in so many movies is because Hallelujah is the soundtrack of our life.

Henning, what a great analysis - you've hit the nail on the head beautifully with this!

Cheers
Andrew (Darby)

Thanks for posting that article, Jarkko. My godmother and I were discussing this film when I was in London; rather she was telling me all about it as I haven't had a chance to see it yet. Now I know it has a great soundtrack, I want to see it even more! It looks like a wonderful film.

"You're lonely on the one hand, but on the other hand, you're part of the universe."

Leonard really should record his own *complete* Halllelujah and claim his territory. I suggest he do it in his studio with the ladies, and release it as bonus track on next album. Or at least he could sing it *complete* on next tour. I had enough of this Buckley guy.

Really, Tom? You don't like Buckley's version? It seems to be everyone else's favourite (almost).

I saw a review of The Edukators yesterday (did you get yours?) - it sounds like an interesting film. We in Canada will have to wait for the DVD, as foreign films don't make it to the 'big screen' very often or for very long. Esp. in smaller towns. I quite like that Buckley guy...

Linda

Why would I like it? He only made one good recording, and that's Hallelujah on Grace album. And it's to weak and to shallow. And I don't like his mother making the profit on dead son with other people's song, releasing every year two DVDs and few "live" recordings. The main problem is that Leonard lost the song, really, those people aren't caring about him, his music or his Hallelujah; they're fanatical about Buckley. Every day I open up the internet, there's another Buckley's Hallelujah in the movie or TV show. And Leonard's version is far better. The problem is even deeper: I don't think Buckley ever cared about LC either, he actually covered John Cale's acoustic cover (he joined both version with Leonard's help in 1989 and sung it live since then). Nobody would hear for him if he didn't die accidentaly and young. That's show bussiness.
I prefer Rufus Wainwright version from Shrek, I must say, much better. And for now, Kathryn Williams rendition is my favourite. Very sensitive, as she will break every moment. And of course, Morente's flamenco take, but that's totally crazy.