Joann Sfar's anti-biopic Gainsbourg (vie heroique) is a weird and wonderful foray into the life of infamous Gallic song-writer Serge Gainsbourg. Best-known in the UK for his saucy duet with Jane Birkin, "Je t'aime... moi non plus", in France he is a legend and Sfar's charming film plays with his mythical persona, creating magical realist scenes and occasionally delving into outright fantasy. Like Todd Haynes' I'm Not There, this is a biopic that plays fast and loose with facts -- something Birkin is reportedly not very happy with. Adapted from Sfar's graphic novel, it begins in typical biopic style with Gainsbourg's childhood in Nazi-occupied Paris, taking a more esoteric turn when we are introduced to the strange, amorphous character La Gueule, a playful sprite and imaginary friend who wreaks havoc for Gainsbourg. His early career and friendships with Boris Vian and Juliette Greco are handled with wit and panache, as is a Benny Hill-esque affair with Brigitte Bardot (Laetitia Casta). The soundtrack is fantastic, and Eric Elmosnino -- a lot better looking than the real Gainsbourg -- is a revelation. But it is his relationship with Birkin (Lucy Gordon), the sadly late British actress (to whom the film is dedicated), that is the film's beating heart. Though a bit overlong, Gainsbourg otherwise hits all the right notes.

NB: Joann Sfarr will give an introduction before this screening. After the film at 11:59pm catch the special event A Celebration Of Gainsbourg. The programme features live music by Hige Club and showing of the controversial Je t'aime moi non plus, the rarely screened feature film directed by Gainsbourg. Gainsbourg (vie heroique) is released in London on 30/07.