A success marred by accusations
.
A week ago, Stromae unveiled the clip for
Fils de joie
, a title present on
Multitude
, his third studio album.
It stages the funeral of a prostitute in an imaginary world, and the Belgian artist in the role of the master of ceremonies.
The Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels was chosen for the filming of
Fils de joie
,
"the most expensive clip of my entire career"
says the Belgian artist.
Hundreds of people participated in this fictitious beer, as evidenced by the list of names cited under the video.
To date, the clip has accumulated over 8 million views.
To discover
Discover the “Best of the Goncourt Prize” collection
150 euros for 5 days of work
All work deserves pay, but not just any pay.
Once the shooting was over and the clip was put online, two voices were raised: a dancer and an extra.
The first addressed Stromae in a message relayed on social networks.
She denounces the
"lack of professionalism"
of the Belgian production company Abyssal, which hired her, as well as the low fee perceived by the
"workers and workers of culture"
participating in the filming, amounting to 150 euros for 5 days of work, rehearsals, fitting and filming included.
The dancer would have terminated her contract two days after the start of filming, according to RTBF.
“You who defend the values of social justice, why did you choose Abyssal production which does not even seem to care about remunerating cultural workers decently?
Is it really consistent?
150 euros for 5 days of work [...].
Contracts, terms and workloads revealed after casting result.
Planning email received at night or at the last minute.
Disregard and lack of professionalism on the part of the organization and the choreographers for the dancers”
Comments relayed on the social networks of a dancer engaged for the clip of Stromae
Questioned by RTBF shortly after her statement, the young woman returned to her working conditions.
“
We knew the shooting days, but not the rehearsal days.
So for someone who works, it was very uncertain how to organize for this week [of filming, Ed].
At the start, it was a paid project and when we learned that it was 150 euros for the five days, we were already a bit committed to the project.
[…] We were expecting remuneration.
For me, remuneration is an employment contract, it is not a reimbursement.
If we want to offer 150 euros for such work, it is OK in certain cases.
If the project calls for volunteers, then yes, yes
”.
Read alsoStromae invites robots and 3D animation to spare during its concerts
As for the extras, same story.
At the microphone of RTBF, Cécile deplores not the payment received (60 euros) but the shooting conditions.
“It implies a very high availability since we had to be there from 6 a.m. and overall, the day ended around 5 p.m.
And that two days in a row
, ”she begins.
“The concern is when you realize what it takes in terms of time, availability, energy, and there, in this case, physical condition.
The shoot took place in January and it was around 1°C, but felt minus 2, knowing that we weren't moving.
It means that we stay on stage while the cameras pass, as an audience we were static.
VS'
Read alsoWith
Health,
Stromae is making a comeback and honoring the people we never celebrate
For Pierre Dherte, president of the Union des artistes du spectacle, a Belgian association, receiving 150 euros for 5 days, does not come under “
the worthy, nor even admissible, acceptable financial conditions of artistic employment but of simple expenses […] 30 euros per day, we are well below the legal daily wage in force.
It is completely inadmissible
”.
Neither the production company nor Stromae have so far reacted to these accusations.