“Hello, I’m Jane Birkin.”

Jane comedienne by Emmanuel Barnault lives up to its title, capturing both the multi-faceted aspect of the English artist and her simplicity.

 

THE SUBJECT: Portrait of Jane Birkin, versatile actress!

THE METHOD: Archival images showing Jane Birkin being interviewed, on set_, notably during the filming of Slogan, which sparked her long-term relationship with Serge Gainsbourg, as well as personal family films, candid remarks by celebrities and film clips…

BONUS: “Jane Birkin, her feet barely touching the ground, takes us into her world of gentle madness.” Thus begins Emmanuel Barnault’s documentary on Jane Birkin’s acting career. Thanks to finely crafted editing, without voice-over or recent interviews, we move seamlessly from one period of her acting life to the next, highlighting the richness of these images, whose dates can be precisely identified. “She’s gorgeous,” exclaims Jean-Louis Trintignant on the set of Jacques Deville’s Love at the Top. Beyond her beauty, this documentary reveals the artist’s playful, spontaneous, tragic and magnificent spirit; she describes herself as a girl “ready for anything, but a real mess” at times. It’s a pleasure to rediscover the beloved duo she formed on screen with Pierre Richard. We learn a great deal, including the advice she was given never to take acting lessons, for fear of stifling her naturally authentic style. “People love you when you’re carefree,” she muses, in her constant quest to improve herself.

Virginie Apiou