INDEX
Analyzing the Influence and Consequences of Caetano Veloso’s “Sin”
The skillful use of music in this film is not limited to the original score. Guadagnino, who has long been known for his effective use of existing music, also shows off some interesting song selection techniques here. Notable examples include Nelly’s “Hot In Herre,” David Bowie’s “Time Will Crawl,” Bruce Springsteen’s Tunnel Of Love” are all used as background music in each scene, but the song that will leave the strongest impression is Caetano Veloso’s “Pecado”.
This song is from the 1994 album “Fina Estampa,” in which the master of Brazilian music, Caetano Veloso, sings his own interpretation of many Spanish songs from his childhood. The song, with an elegant and sensual string arrangement by virtuoso Jaquith Morelenbaum, is a tango originally written by Argentine bandoneon player Armando Pontière and lyricist Carlos Barr, and is titled “Pecado” (“Sin” in Japanese). The title “Pecado” means “sin” in Japanese.
The song suddenly appears in the soundscape of ‘Challengers,’ which is dominated by aggressive electronic music, and is placed in the climactic section of the film as an important presence that completely changes the atmosphere of the film.
On a stormy night, just a day before the fateful match between the rivals, Art makes a serious confession to Tashi. The couple tries to comfort each other in their sorrow and strong resolve. But soon after, Tashi makes an unexpected move, and they face the next morning’s match in a state of anxiety. …… Caetano’s voice, which gently envelops the too erotic and at the same time sorrowful time, may seem at first glance to be at the opposite end of the spectrum from the sound of dance music with its intense rhythmic beat. However, the sound of “Pecado” does not only represent calmness and pathos, as there is indeed a desire that grows hotter and hotter the more quietly it is suppressed. Just as the suppression of explicit rhythms suggests an underlying rhythmic energy, the momentary calm that the song carries into the film paradoxically expresses the outpouring of inner passion that Tashi, Art, and Patrick are harboring in the face of intense battle.
