Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry Unite for Golden: A Celebration of Black Joy and 1970s Virginia Beach

Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry have been major contributors to pop culture in their own right for over 20 years. Williams has produced some of the biggest hits of the 2000s for artists such as Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar, he’s even had major success as a solo artist with global sensations such as “Happy” in 2013. Gondry, on the other hand, has been directing major music videos since the 90’s, working alongside The Rolling Stones, Björk, The White Stripes, Daft Punk, and many more, as well being behind the sci-fi breakup classic Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)  starring Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey. The two are set to collaborate on an upcoming film now titled Golden with Gondry as director and Pharrell on the production side. The film stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Waves, It Comes at Night) and Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid) in what Williams described to Empire as “a musical expedition, set in the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with the spirit of the music [of that time]. You know how in Dirty Dancing and Grease, the music was almost a character? That's what it's like in this film. It's a coming-of-age story about self-discovery and pursuing your dreams, but it's so much more magical than that. It's a celebration of Black life, Black culture, and most importantly, Black joy.”

Pharrell collaborating with Gondry seems fated once you look at his more recent exploits outside of music. The French director is known for his formalist style that mixes live-action with different styles of animation embracing a theatrically artificial presentation and a childlike wonder towards the subjects at hand. Similar to how Pharrell’s persona even within hip-hop culture is more playful than most. You can also look at how his  ongoing collaboration with Adidas maintains an emphasis on bright colors while his involvement in the Despicable Me franchise shows his penchant for a sillier, more absurd take on life. All this to say that Golden should make for a great collaboration, however, it will also be a test for sorts for both creatives. 

When it comes to their recent work in fiction filmmaking, one could say that both have something to prove. Although the recent documentary about his life and career has been well received, Pharrell has helped compose the “itsy bitsy spider” referencing score to the much reviled The Amazing Spiderman 2 (2024) as well as the creatively bankrupt The Lion King (2019) reboot. Gondry, on the other hand, has gone back to France for his past two films which were released with little fanfare in comparison to his earlier work. 

Golden will be a celebration of Pharrell’s Virginia Beach roots which will take us back to his hometown in the late 70’s. Currently in post production, the film is set to release in cinemas in 2025 and also stars Da'vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry, Quinta Brunson, Janelle Monáe, Anderson. Paak, and Missy Elliott on top of the two leads.