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| An intimate back alley moment makes up this sensually blue poster for 21 directors' Paris, Je t'Aime |
The film presents 18 short films set in the City of Lights, Paris: Of romance in spite of cultural differences, random violence, the heart of the city, mimes who meet in prison, - and much more.
Paris, Je t'Aime is written by Nadine Eïd (Eki (2022, TV-series)), Paul Mayeda Berges (Bride & Prejudice (2004)), Gena Rowlands (The Skeleton Key (2005, actress)), Gabrielle Keng (Disorder (1986, costume assistant), Rain Li (Habit (2021, cinematographer)) and its 21 co-writer/directors, based on an idea by Tristan Carné (La Chanson de l'Année (2019-22)). The co-writer/directors are: Gus Van Sant (Elephant (2003)), Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run/Lola Rennt (1998)), Daniela Thomas (Vazante (2017)), Nobuhiro Suwa (H Story (2001)), Oliver Schmitz (Amokspiel (2018, TV movie)), Walter Salles (On the Road (2012)), Bruno Podalydès (Chocolat (2016)), Alexander Payne (Sideways (2009)), Vincenzo Natali (Westworld (2016-18)), Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You (2007)), Christopher Doyle (Warsaw Dark (2008)), Gérard Depardieu (The Bridge/Un Pont Entre Deux Rives (1999)), Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity (2013)), Wes Craven (Scream (1996)), Isabel Coixet (Elisa & Marcela/Elisa y Marcela (2019, VoD)), Ethan and Joel Coen (A Serious Man (2009)), Sylvain Chomet (The Illusionist/L'Illusionniste (2010)), Gurinder Chadha (Beecham House (2019, TV-series)), Frédéric Auburtin (Volpone (2003, TV movie)) and Olivier Assayas (Irma Vep (2022, miniseries)). The original French title (also used in English-speaking countries) translates to, 'Paris I love you'.
As a film this is something of a mishmash, and several of the segments lack clarity, - for instance Depardieu's otherwise sparklingly cast story, which actors Rowlads, Ben Gazzara (The Shore (2006)) and Depardieu himself nevertheless fail to bring to life.
But there are also fine moments: The mime story by Chomet is delightful, and the idea to base a story around mimes is spot-on for a Paris anthology. Tykwer's story (about a blind man) is technically astute; Payne's segment, starring the peerless Margot Martindale (August: Osage County (2013)), is the best in the film. Most curious is the completely unmotivated vampire story starring Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)) by Natali.
The executive producers have obviously given the directors a wide degree of creative freedom, which brings both good and bad things forth here. Lovers of the city of Paris and short films should find ample reasons to appreciate Paris, Je t'Aime.
Related post:
New York, I Love You (2008) - Some wonderful moments elevate uneven anthology
Watch a trailer for the film here
Cost: 13 mil. $
Box office: 17.4 mil. $
= Big flop (returned 1.33 times its cost)
[Paris, Je t'Aime premiered 18 May (Cannes Film Festival, Un Certain Regard section) and runs 120 minutes. Shooting took place in Paris from November 2005 - ?. Two stories were shot but cut out of the finished film. These were directed by Christoffer Boe and Raphaël Nadjari. The film opened #50 to a 39k $ first weekend in 2 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #13 and in 200 theaters (different weeks), grossing 4.8 mil. $ (27.6 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were France with 2.8 mil. $ (16.1 %) and Germany with 1.3 mil. $ (7.5 %). The film inspired similarly titled anthologies for New York (2008), Rio (2014) and Berlin (2019). Paris, Je t'Aime is certified fresh at 86 % with a 7.10/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
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