“I need others.”

Agnès Jaoui talks about other people’s films.

CHILDREN OF PARADISE BY MARCEL CARNÉ (1945)
The first time I saw this film, everything about it completely enchanted me. It’s both free-spirited and modern. The title is lovely; it refers to the seats located at the very top of the theatre, which are the most affordable. This film explores the destinies of people’s lives, actors, the Boulevard du Crime and Parisian theaters that still exist today. I really admire the Carné–Prévert collaboration. When two artists come together, it creates something absolutely magical.

HANNAH AND HER SISTERS BY WOODY ALLEN (1986)
This is just one example among others that shows how much can be conveyed in a single shot. The characters create the mise-en-scène, and I love that. I like it when you forget that the camera is there. But most of all, this film allows us to discover its music. I experienced this myself when I first saw Jacques Demy’s Donkey Skin (1970) featuring Michel Legrand’s score. I love Baroque music, and I admire the way Woody Allen weaves the Bach concerto into a scene depicting a declaration of love.

LAW OF DESIRE BY PEDRO ALMODÓVAR (1988)
This œuvre marks the beginning of the “Almodóvar brand.” We see cinema once again as a vehicle for music, with a declaration of love by the character played by Antonio Banderas, set to a song by Los Panchos, Lo dudo. That’s where my passion for Latin music comes from, and I sing the song regularly. Almodóvar has a special relationship with music. In practically every one of his films, there’s an entirely musical moment that encourages the audience to engage with the music.

THE “RENDEZ-VOUS” SCENE BY ERNST LUBITSCH (1945)
Here's another one of my favorite filmmakers. This movie is funny and well-crafted, featuring, once again, incredible actors. The director knows how to incorporate humor and emotion. I deliberately chose a scene in which you don't see the main characters, but a supporting one, the store owner, who alludes to the film's original title (The Shop Around the Corner). Watching it again makes me cry every time. Many of the actors are truly passionate about acting and theatre. Like this one, Frank, who is wonderful; you can read everything on his face. Everything is conveyed about loneliness, the need for others… It’s very beautiful.

Reported by Fanny Bellocq