Alain Kan, The Accursed Son of Rock

Alain Kan is a legendary figure in French rock—and in rock music in general. His mysterious disappearance one day in April 1990 in Paris, at the age of 45, left a lasting impression. Alain Kan’s story is that of a little boy who wanted to become a star. To live in the spotlight. From his first single in 1963, at the age of 19, to his last album in the mid-1980s, his artistic journey led him through every kind of creation, every excess, every passion, and every twist of fate. He was, in turn, a heartthrob for teenage girls, then a David Bowie lookalike, and finally France’s first punk.

Directed by Stéphane Munka, Thierry Pasquet, Christian Eudeline, Karl Zéro, Alain Kan, The Accursed Son of Rock leans on a strong ensemble — Alain Kan, Christophe, Véronique Bevilacqua — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2007.