— Ch. 1 · Adaptation Origins And Novel —
Mood Indigo (film).
~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
Boris Vian published the novel L'Écume des jours in 1947. The English translation carries the title Froth on the Daydream. Michel Gondry and Luc Bossi adapted this text into a screenplay for their 2013 film. Previous attempts to bring the story to screen occurred in 1968 with a French release titled Spray of the Days. A Japanese adaptation followed in 2001 under the name Chloe. These earlier versions did not achieve the same cultural footprint as the later Gondry production. The source material contains invented words like pianocktail, blending piano and cocktail into a single concept. This linguistic playfulness set the tone for the visual style that would follow decades later.
Surreal Visual Aesthetics
Michel Gondry employed practical effects throughout the filming process rather than relying on digital compositing. The protagonist Colin lives inside a house that decays supernaturally over time. A mouse character reluctantly tolerates the living space before eventually abandoning its owner. Production designer Stéphane Roques created whimsical sets using physical props and handmade materials. The color palette shifts from vibrant hues to monochromatic tones as the narrative progresses toward tragedy. Chick spends money on items related to Jean-Sol Partre while his relationship with Alise deteriorates. The aesthetic choices reflect the internal emotional states of the characters through environmental decay and surreal transformations.Troubled Production History
Filming commenced on the 10th of April 2012 and concluded on the 23rd of July of the same year. The total budget reached 19 million euro. Scope Pictures provided co-production support alongside France 2 Cinéma and StudioCanal. Eurimages contributed 650,000 euro to the project. Canal+ and Ciné+ pre-acquired distribution rights before shooting began. Locations included Belgium and areas surrounding Paris. Gondry drew inspiration from these production difficulties when creating his 2023 film The Book of Solutions. Budget constraints forced creative decisions regarding set construction and location scouting. The tight schedule added pressure to an already complex visual undertaking.