Paris, Je T'aime

[kypade]

Paris, je t'aime is definitely the most interesting sounding film I've heard of set for 06, and probably the film I look forward to most of any I've heard of period.

Basically, 20 filmmakers get 5 minutes of freedom to film what Paris, City of Love means to them. Then it is all tied together in some sort of narrative to make sense.

Directed by:
Gus Van Sant
Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run)
Walter Salles (Motorcycle Diaries)
Alexander Payne
Vincenzo Natali (Cube)
Richard LaGravenese (A Decade Under The Influence)
Jean-Luc Godard
Christopher Doyle (cinematagrapher for some huge stuff, inc Hero, 2046, Rabbit Proof Fence, Three Extremes, The White Countess etc etc)
This Guy
Alfonso Cuarón
Wes Craven
Isabel Coixet (My Life Without Me)
Coen Bros
Sylvain Chomet (Triplets of Belleville)
And More

Starring:
Steve Buscemi
Juliette Binoche
Willem Dafoe
Natalie Portman
Nick Nolte
About 500 names I don't recognize
It used to have Orlando Bloon, Gael Garcia, Johnny Depp and some other big names attached, too...dunno what happend there.

Here's the full plot summary from IMDb (long but worth reading):

Paris, je t'aime is about the plurality of cinema in one mythic location: Paris, the City of Love. Twenty filmmakers will bring their own personal touch, underlining the wide variety of styles, genres, encounters and the various atmospheres and lifestyles that prevail in the neighborhoods of Paris. Each director has been given five minutes of freedom, and we, as producers, carry the responsibility of weaving a single narrative unit out of those twenty moments. The 20 films will not appear in the order of the arrondissements, from one to twenty, but rather, in a pertinent narrative order, initially unknown to the audience. They will be fused together by transitional interstitial sequences, and also via the introduction and epilogue sequences of the feature film. Each transition will begin with the last shot of the previous film and will end with the first shot of the following film, and will have a threefold function: 1) The first is to extend the enchantment and the emotion of the previous segment, 2) The second is to prepare the audience for the surprise of the next segment, and 3) The third is to provide a general, comfortable and cohesive atmosphere to the feature film. The delightful and brief interludes of these transitions will enable the viewer to slide from one world to the next, featuring a recurring and unexpected character. This mysterious character is a witness to the Parisian life and helps create a continuous narration. It appears both in and in-between the films. In addition to the information these transitions will provide about the city and its people, their tone will be intentionally light often referring to famous scenes easily attributed to the history of Paris cinema. Similar specifications will be followed by the composer who will supervise the musical fusion between the films and the transitions as he creates the musical score of Paris, je t'aime. Considering the common theme of Paris and Love, the fusion between the films and the transitions, the fast pace of a fluid and complete storytelling, Paris, je t'aime will not be just another "anthology" picture. It will be a unique collective feature film that will constitute a two-hour cinematographic spectacle whose original structure will make for a dramatically different experience for its global audience.

Summary written by Emmanuel Benbihy

It honestly sounds too good to be true.

 

[Red Mask]

There isn't much experimentation in cinema anymore. So chances like these should be grabbed. I'm just worried that too many filmmakers creates a mess.

 

[WallCrawl]

There isn't much experimentation in cinema anymore. So chances like these should be grabbed. I'm just worried that too many filmmakers creates a mess.

Its a possiblility. It's also a chance worth taking.

 

[Red Mask]

Godard and Wes Craven? What can you say about that?

 

[WallCrawl]

I'm kind of disappointed that Michel Gondry or Spike Jonze isn't on that list. Oh well. It's still pretty cool that Chomet is involved.

 

[kypade]

Yeah, I'm sure there's plenty of people who would have been nice to have...but there's probably 30+ countries making movies, and it looks like they wanted to get it as diverse as possible. I think it'll be fine.

If it lives up to the discription posted, I can't imagine it being bad. Can't wait...

 

[Calvin]

Goddamn man, this movie is gonna blow my mind.

 

[Big Fat Pauly]

It's gonna be french and invariably suck.

 

[Calvin]

You're so edgy.

 

[Red Mask]

You're so edgy.

Ignore him. If the Mafia hates this guy then he's probably hated as much as the French. Morte alla Francia Italia anela = M.A.F.I.A. which surprisingly doesn't have any real historical relevance.

 

[Calvin]

I'm kind of disappointed that Michel Gondry or Spike Jonze isn't on that list. Oh well. It's still pretty cool that Chomet is involved.

Yeah, I second that, especially Gondry. I'd have liked to see Linklater on that list too, but then again he's already made the ultimate Paris/love movie in my opinion.

Cool to see Godard and Portman. Actually, that whole list is pretty incredible.

 

[kypade]

Well, apparently and unfortunately, Godard has disappeared from the directing list. :/

And Gondry was involved at one point (as was Alejandro Inarritu), but obviously he was dropped too. (well, not dropped, but no longer is on board.)

I dunno...looks like the Bend it Like Beckham director is listed now, dunno if that's new. But still, some pretty major people involved. I just hope it doesn't keep losing people.

 

[Wolfwood]

Hoskin, Buscemi and Dafoe? I'm sold on it. Interested in seeing what Craven does too.

 

[WallCrawl]

Well, apparently and unfortunately, Godard has disappeared from the directing list. :/

And Gondry was involved at one point (as was Alejandro Inarritu), but obviously he was dropped too. (well, not dropped, but no longer is on board.)

I dunno...looks like the Bend it Like Beckham director is listed now, dunno if that's new. But still, some pretty major people involved. I just hope it doesn't keep losing people.

Any reasons out yet for why directors keep dropping out? It's probably something as routine as conflicting schedules and whatnot, but I'd still like to know.

 

[kypade]

Never checked back here...no, no idea why the list changed so drastically over time, but it's been nearly a year since I heard of the project (and surely it started production long before that) and it's just coming out next month, so it's been a pretty long process. Probably like you said, just schedules or whatever.

ANNNYway...

the trailer's out: http://www.commeaucinema.com/news.php3?nominfos=54312&Rub=BA

Looks fantastic. Really can't wait to see how they pull this off (or don't, if so).

 

[Erundur]

Hoskins: I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING ANYMORE
Lady: *smack* Do you feel that?



At least I know which scene Craven Directed.

I can't wait

 

[WallCrawl]

HA! You can easily tell which scene Sylvain Chomet directed as well.