Alexander Payne's five minute episode from the omnibus movie "Paris, je t'aime" is a genuine homage to a city that is hard to love because everyone does. When I lived in Germany, I drove to Paris at least four times a year. Paris was the first city in my life, and like the heavily accented American narrator in Payne's story, I always wanted to live there and be more than just a tourist. It never quite worked out. In 2004, I came back and was supposed to give a press conference at city hall as a spokesperson of the Athens Olympic Torch Relay. I had spoken French at a similar event in Montreal the week before, but in front of the Paris press I felt too insecure to even try. I can't remember having ever been more nervous. I guess Paris does that to you. It's like a permanent blind date. Speaking of which, my other favorite from "Paris, je t'aime" is Tom Tykwer's rushed love story. Like all good movies, it is about seeing:
You remind me of Josephine Baker with her famous song "J'ai deux amours..." --except maybe for the bananas.
Watch here
Posted by: Guillaume C. | January 01, 2008 at 05:46 PM