Éric Serra

Born:September 9, 1959

Place of Birth:Saint-Mandé, Val-de-Marne, France

Known For:Sound

Biography

Éric Serra, the talented French musician and composer, has left an indelible mark on the world of film scores with his unique and innovative sound. Born in Saint-Mandé on September 9, 1959, Serra was destined for a life in music, with his father Claude being a renowned French songwriter. Tragically, Serra lost his mother at a young age, which undoubtedly influenced his emotional and evocative approach to composition.

In the early 1980s, fate brought Éric Serra together with director Luc Besson, sparking a collaboration that would shape the soundtracks of numerous iconic films. Serra's first venture into film scoring was for Besson's movie "Le Dernier Combat" in 1983, marking the beginning of a prolific partnership that continues to this day. His ability to capture the essence of Besson's visual storytelling through music is nothing short of mesmerizing.

One of Serra's most notable works was his composition for the James Bond film "GoldenEye" in 1995. Breaking away from the traditional Bond sound, Serra introduced a modern and avant-garde soundtrack that divided critics and fans alike. While some praised his bold approach, others longed for the classic Bond leitmotif. Despite the mixed reception, Serra's contribution to the Bond legacy remains a testament to his fearless creativity.

Beyond his film scores, Serra is also recognized for his songwriting prowess, penning memorable tracks like "It's Only Mystery" for "Subway" and "Little Light of Love" for "The Fifth Element." His musical versatility shines through in each composition, demonstrating a deep understanding of how music can elevate cinematic storytelling to new heights.

In addition to his musical talents, Serra is a devoted family man, sharing a life with Australian model Jodi Luschwitz and their two children. Despite his success in the industry, Serra remains humble and grounded, prioritizing his loved ones above all else.

While Serra may shy away from the spotlight, preferring to work behind the scenes, his impact on the world of cinema is undeniable. Whether he is crafting a haunting melody or a heart-pounding rhythm, Serra's music has the power to transport audiences to another realm, immersing them in the magic of storytelling.

From his early days playing bass guitar for French singer Jacques Higelin to his groundbreaking collaborations with Luc Besson, Éric Serra has carved out a legacy that will endure for generations to come. His ability to evoke raw emotion and capture the essence of a story through music cements his status as a true maestro of the silver screen.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Subway

Le Bassiste

1985

Fred, a raffish safe blower, takes refuge in the Paris Metro after being chased by the henchmen of a shady businessman from whom he has just stolen some documents. While hiding out in the back rooms and conduits of the Metro, Fred encounters a subterranean society of eccentric characters and petty criminals.

Production

Lucy

Original Music Composer

2014

A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

Léon: The Professional

Original Music Composer

1994

Léon, the top hit man in New York, has earned a rep as an effective "cleaner". But when his next-door neighbors are wiped out by a loose-cannon DEA agent, he becomes the unwilling custodian of 12-year-old Mathilda. Before long, Mathilda's thoughts turn to revenge, and she considers following in Léon's footsteps.

Dogman

Original Music Composer

2023

A boy, bruised by life, finds his salvation through the love of his dogs.

Anna

Original Music Composer

2019

Beneath Anna Poliatova's striking beauty lies a secret that will unleash her indelible strength and skill to become one of the world's most feared government assassins.

GoldenEye

Original Music Composer

1995

When a powerful satellite system falls into the hands of Alec Trevelyan, AKA Agent 006, a former ally-turned-enemy, only James Bond can save the world from a dangerous space weapon that -- in one short pulse -- could destroy the earth! As Bond squares off against his former compatriot, he also battles Xenia Onatopp, an assassin who uses pleasure as her ultimate weapon.

Arthur and the Invisibles

Original Music Composer

2006

Arthur is a spirited ten-year old whose parents are away looking for work, whose eccentric grandfather has been missing for several years, and who lives with his grandmother in a country house that, in two days, will be repossessed, torn down, and turned into a block of flats unless Arthur's grandfather returns to sign some papers and pay off the family debt. Arthur discovers that the key to success lies in his own descent into the land of the Minimoys, creatures no larger than a tooth, whom his grandfather helped relocate to their garden. Somewhere among them is hidden a pile of rubies, too. Can Arthur be of stout heart and save the day? Romance beckons as well, and a villain lurks.

La Femme Nikita

Original Music Composer

1990

A beautiful felon, sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a policeman, is given a second chance – as a secret political assassin controlled by the government.

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

Music

1999

In 1429, a French teenager stood before her King with a message she claimed came from God; that she would defeat the world's greatest army and liberate her country from its political and religious turmoil. As she reclaims God's diminished kingdom, this courageous young woman has various amazing victories until her violent and untimely death.

Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard

Original Music Composer

2009

Arthur answers a distress call from Princess Selenia, who is menaced by the nefarious Maltazard.

Wasabi

Original Music Composer

2001

Hubert is a French policeman with very sharp methods. After being forced to take 2 months off by his boss, who doesn't share his view on working methods, he goes back to Japan, where he used to work 19 years ago, to settle the probate of his girlfriend who left him shortly after marriage without a trace.

The Big Blue

Original Music Composer

1988

Two men answer the call of the ocean in this romantic fantasy-adventure. Jacques and Enzo are a pair of friends who have been close since childhood, and who share a passion for the dangerous sport of free diving. Professional diver Jacques opted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who died at sea when Jacques was a boy; to the bewilderment of scientists, Jacques harbors a remarkable ability to adjust his heart rate and breathing pattern in the water, so that his vital signs more closely resemble that of dolphins than men. As Enzo persuades a reluctant Jacques to compete against him in a free diving contest -- determining who can dive deeper and longer without scuba gear -- Jacques meets Johana, a beautiful insurance investigator from America, and he finds that he must choose between his love for her and his love of the sea.

Renegades

Original Music Composer

2017

In the midst of the Balkan wars, a squad of Navy SEALs attempts to unravel a long-forgotten mystery after discovering an enormous treasure trove hidden at the bottom of a lake in Serbia.

Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds

Original Music Composer

2010

With Maltazard now seven feet tall and Arthur still two inches small, our hero must find a way to grow back to his normal size and stop the Evil M once and for all, with the help of Selenia and Betameche.

Bandidas

Original Music Composer

2006

When a ruthless robber baron takes away everything they cherish, a rough-and-tumble, idealistic peasant and a sophisticated heiress embark on a quest for justice, vengeance…and a few good heists.

Subway

Musician

1985

Bulletproof Monk

Original Music Composer

2003

A mysterious and immortal Tibetan kung fu master, who has spent the last 60 years traveling around the world protecting the ancient Scroll of the Ultimate, mentors a selfish street kid in the ancient intricacies of kung fu.