Project Description

Spectators showed up en masse to enjoy two exceptional ciné-concerts in celebration of the 30^thanniversary of Le Grand Bleu (The Big Blue), Luc Besson’s blockbuster 1988 cult film. The initial performance on May 11th marked the 30^th anniversary of the film’s premier at the Cannes Film Festival to the day, with a sold out repeat performance on 2^nd June in the 4,000 capacity venue, The Seine Musicale. The mesmerising score was performed live by its French composer Eric Serra and a group of musicians specially chosen for the event.

Starring Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno and Rosanna Arquette, the epic feature film was inspired by the lives and storied rivalry of two famous free diving champions Jacques Mayol (Barr) and Enzo Molinari (Reno). Shot on location in the South of France, the Greek islands, Peru and Sicily, the film features stunning underwater photography and an emotional intensity that is underscored by Serra’s hypnotic, ambient soundtrack, which won the César for Best Music in 1989, France’s highest honour for film scoring.

For this special occasion, Serra wanted to deliver a truly remarkable experience. After having travelled to L‑ISA headquarters in London to meet with L‑Acoustics founder and President, Christian Heil for a demonstration of the L‑ISA technology, Serra decided that L‑ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound was the right means to deliver his vision for Le Grand Bleu concert.

Sound Design Solution

An L‑ISA Focus (patent pending) configuration was deployed, comprised of three hangs of nine K2 and two hangs of 12 Kara positioned behind the screen and above the stage as the frontal system, with an additional extension system of two hangs of nine Kara each widening the image. A central hang of eight KS28 subwoofers provided low end and five Kiva II were sited along the stage lip as frontfills. The system was driven by two L‑ISA Controllers and processed through the L‑ISA Processor. L‑Acoustics’ Applications Engineer, Touring, Frédéric Bailly and Director of Application, Touring, Florent Bernard, provided support for the Soundvision design and L‑ISA mix. The event was produced by Gérard Drouot Productions with loudspeakers provided by L‑Acoustics Certified Rental Provider DUSHOW.