Synopsis
Sébastien Tellier appears as a flamboyant, long-haired figure moving through a deliberately artificial fantasy world of beaches, skies, and colorful green-screen backdrops. The playful imagery shifts between solo performance shots and scenes populated by bearded men and women, turning the singer's romantic daydream into a surreal, kitschy pop tableau. Rather than following a conventional narrative, the video builds its charm through awkward poses, exaggerated styling, low-fi composites, and an intentionally innocent sense of spectacle that matches the song's sunny, nostalgic mood.
Factoids & Trivia
- The video was released in 2008, ahead of Tellier's appearance for France at the Eurovision Song Contest. The official upload carries a 2009 Record Makers copyright notice.
- The cast's deliberately excessive facial hair is one of the clip's defining visual jokes. Beards and long hair appear on women as well as men, giving the video an intentionally strange, communal look.
- Tellier described "Divine" as a tribute to the Beach Boys and the Juicy Fruits from Brian De Palma's 1974 film "Phantom of the Paradise." He associated the song with innocence, beach imagery, and having fun rather than simply trying to attract girls.
- "Divine" was produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, with Eric Chedeville as co-producer. Tellier said that de Homem-Christo was involved throughout the album's production, from drum programming through the final mix.
- The song's use of mostly English lyrics caused controversy in France because it was selected as the country's Eurovision entry. The contest version added French lines.
- At Eurovision in Belgrade on May 24, 2008, Tellier arrived in a golf cart and performed with five backing singers styled to resemble him, complete with wigs, sunglasses, and fake facial hair. France finished 19th with 47 points.
- The video has often been remembered alongside the Eurovision performance, although the two are separate pieces: the clip is a surreal studio fantasy, while the contest appearance turns Tellier's eccentric image into live television spectacle.