Voilà! It’s the universally understandable expression that Barbara Pravi has been repeating ever since her victory at Eurovision France: C’est vous qui décidez. Now, as a newly-minted darling of Eurovision 2021, the 27-year-old has revealed the official music video. She tells us it’s “the first chapter of a short film in three parts”. The cinematic atmosphere of the clip directly echoes the self-sacrifice that was necessary to write this song.

The French public now knows who will represent their country at Eurovision 2021. But for Barbara herself the ground still feels a bit shaky. She recently admitted to the French channel BFMTV that she’s living in a haze. “It’s a steamroller, but it’s beautiful,” she says. “I’m super happy, but at the moment, it’s still a little hard to understand.”

Barbara Pravi releases “Voilà” music video

Her video clip, directed by NOESYS Prod, has a deeply cinematic feel. Breaking the usual codes of the music video, she wants to offer viewers an immersive experience, as if they were watching a movie. It exists on its own, but also as part of a broader trilogy: “Voilà” is the first chapter of a three-part mini movie, of which the next two chapters will be two unreleased tracks from her next album.

Looking back on her victory at Eurovision France, Barbara admits that the Eurovision Song Contest is already an important part of her life. Although she has never stepped foot on the Eurovision Song Contest stage, she has hidden behind competing artists from Junior Eurovision twice. Co-author of “Bim-Bam-Toi” and “J’imagine”, it is partly thanks to her that France owes its victory at JESC 2020. Modest on the subject, she stresses to us that these victories do not belong to her. The successful songwriter considers this new opportunity as a “blessing” to be able to represent France with her entry, which is in the tradition of French chanson.

“Voilà” was a painful song to write.

Difficult and painful. This is how Barbara describes the process of writing her song “Voilà”. Not only because its title addresses the issue of self-acceptance and resilience, but also because it was necessary to find the precise words to describe personal feelings. What the author feared with the lyrics was that it would give the impression of an egocentric song that the audience wouldn’t buy into. The autobiographical lyrics continue to animate the singer, who admits that she still has to find the necessary strength to interpret these words, which are heavy with meaning for her.

“I was afraid of being at the limit of non-humility. Because in my song, I say ‘Look at me, listen to me…’. So the accuracy was hard to find, it also has a lot to do with the interpretation and the heart that one puts into saying the words. It was sporting. Each time, you have to be able to sing it.”

In love with classical French song, she wanted to cast her entry in this genre. She admits that above all it’s a song that comes close to the repertoire that the young woman loves — that of Jacques-Brel, Charles Aznavour, Barbara or Edith Piaf, whose melody and lyrics blend together.

“I don’t predict what will happen before writing, but I’m happy with the end result. In this kind of song, the text and the melody have to be made together and blend perfectly.” 

And what about those comparisons with Edith Piaf?

Since the announcement of her participation in Eurovision France, many have suggested there are physical similarities between Edith Piaf and Barbara Pravi. The French public has also compared the singer to another French singer from the 60’s with the same name as Barbara.

Far from being annoyed by the many negative comments that have flourished on social networks, accusing her of wanting to imitate Piaf, Barbara accepts these comparisons with great pleasure. For the singer-songwriter it is even an honor to be compared to the greatest names in French song. She understands the comparisons and doesn’t recoil from it.

“I would be very sad to be upset about that. I understand the comparison because, like her, I’m small, and we have a similar haircut! Also, like her, I’m frail with a voice that carries.”

Beyond the physical similarities with the incomparable Edith Piaf, the chorus of “Voilà” shares a rhythm close to “Padam, Padam”. But Barbara defends herself from any notion of copying. As she says: “I didn’t think about it at all.”

On the way to Rotterdam

Still shaken by her recent victory, Barbara says it is still too early to know what staging she will take to Rotterdam. The singer nevertheless specifies that she is working on it and that her performance will remain sober, close to that which the public saw during the national final of Eurovision France. We do know that Barbara will be dressed by the French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. Despite her experience as a composer for Junior Eurovision, she admits that she still has difficulty understanding the codes of the competition.

“I’m going to work a lot from now on. I don’t know yet what we’re going to do in terms of scenography. Typically I am in favour of simplicity, but I don’t know the codes of the classic version of Eurovision.”

Now that most of the work has begun, the future representative feels that the most important thing to trying to win the competition is staying true to oneself.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Barbara Pravi (@babpravi)

What kind of staging do you imagine for Barabara Pravi on the Eurovision stage? Tell us in the comments box down below!

29 Comments
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Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago

Sorry but don’t like the clip, but I Love You Barbara as a singer.

Loin dici
Loin dici
3 years ago

Since this is meant to be a showcase for her next body of work, I don’t think French TV has anything to do with it, it’s probably what Bab wanted. It’s apparent for me that Bab was once comfortable with the ‘shadows’ that she was in, but when they start to cripple up on her, they haunt her even if she’s trying to move forward from them. It got to the point where the shadows wanted to take control of Bab, almost making her powerless, but she finally can go against them and stand up for herself. However, the expression… Read more »

FanESC
FanESC
3 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

The music video was registered a few days before her winning, actually. So indeed, france 2 has nothing to do with that music video.

Loin dici
Loin dici
3 years ago
Reply to  FanESC

Thank you for the information, FanESC!

Ben
Ben
3 years ago

Why wasn’t she singing/lipsyncing AT ALL during the video? Not a big fan.

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago
Reply to  Ben

Unfortunately you don’t understand the concept…..

Grft
Grft
3 years ago
Reply to  Ben

Since when does every music video need to be lipsynced? Ahah

Elfi
Elfi
3 years ago
Reply to  Ben

This is more than a music vídeo that’s why…
This strike me more like a short silent movie, it’s good to see from time to time such inspired artists being part of eurovision!

Okt
Okt
3 years ago

It’ll be like every French film, bad ending

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago
Reply to  Okt

Correction: you wish it would end badly because you’re bad, it’s not the same thing.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

Amazing video, very artistic and definitely not for everyone.

I think they should keep the staging from the national final which was absolutely magical.Obviously, they can improve it as the stage in Rotterdam will be massive with lots of opportunities.

Love Voila and Barbara, she’s so talented and versatile (writing songs like Voila and Bim Bam Toi).

I think she can pull a Portugal 2017 with juries but i have a feeling that the public will support a fun song.

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
3 years ago

Beautiful song and video. My nr.1 so far !!

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago

Confusing message but still a beautiful music video<3 I still hope she retains the similar staging that she had on the national final since its been well received by ESC fans and critics alike. There’s a saying that: “Don’t fix what isn’t broke”. Well UK 2014 and Germany 2019 were great examples of those disasters to avoid.

Last edited 3 years ago by Charli Cheer Up
sam
sam
3 years ago

…. germany 2019? can you even fix a derailed train that fell off a 500 foot cliff?

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

Weak song agreed but their staging during the NF was actually good if you re-watched it. The revolving floor would’ve saved it at ESC..

sam
sam
3 years ago

i honestly don’t like the video all that much.. i wish she had been singing in it because it feels so disconnected and takes away from the personal message behind the song. the live performance is spectacular, but this is not a song that needs 5 dancers who barely even move

Toinousse
Toinousse
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

this video was shot way before the national final, is part of another project, so don’t worry about the dancers, however I think the no singing in the video is a very interesting and bold choice because she is able to showcase her emotions only through her facial expressions

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

well those dancers wearing those masks on them has been seen many times before.. but still the song is just amazing!

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

It is times like these where I think I might be a philistine.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

It’s like no-one told Barbara that the ESC prize wasn’t an Oscar. 😀
It’s too good, bravo.

FanESC
FanESC
3 years ago

Didn’t understand but loved it.

Last edited 3 years ago by FanESC
Amy
Amy
3 years ago

Love the song, great live perfomance. Not feeling the video, sorry guys. They could have done it so much better…

Reverb
Reverb
3 years ago

It’s soooooo pretentious. The fake “french-ness”, JESUS!

KarmaLeon
KarmaLeon
3 years ago
Reply to  Reverb

So true !!!! I m french but i m so agree with u !
In the same style Patricia Kaas was pure class and authentic…she s just …fake…
Out of topic but i read that tommorow evening polish broadcaster will reveal their 2021act and that tomorrow morning the singer from 2014 will présent her song …. maybe thats her ?

zeev
zeev
3 years ago

my winner so far great

Grft
Grft
3 years ago

I wasn’t expecting this kind of music video at all but I like very much. And she looks so beautiful and charismatic like wtf? How was she not a star before? Lol

F@ab
F@ab
3 years ago

Just awesome!

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

Looks like a French art film, amazing.

Jeff USA
Jeff USA
3 years ago

Absolutely stunning and gripping visuals. Voila was already full of intense emotion and the visuals greatly enhance the emotion Barbara and voila already had. I am so exited to see this performed in May!!!