An American in Paris

Our opening film, Midnight in Paris, a romantic comedy with a finely honed narrative, kicks off the 64th Festival de Cannes with considerable verve! After shooting movies in various European cities (London, Barcelona), Woody Allen focuses his camera on Paris to follow the nocturnal wanderings of Gil, played by Owen Wilson.

Long attached to the universe and characters of New York City (Manhattan, Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters etc.), Woody Allen has recently launched a second phase of his career in Europe, on the tracks of his cinema references (with Bergman at the head of the list). The movies he is making now have a different feel from his New York style. His favourite subjects however remain the same: couples, their disillusions and their complications, the family and the fear of the passing of time.

In Midnight in Paris, a couple comes to stay in the French capital for professional reasons. They discover that, despite their fantasies, Parisian life is not really right for them. Gil starts to look at night for what he can’t find during the day. During his nightly perambulations he comes across a cast of characters as disparate as they are impressive: Michael Sheen, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni and Gad Elmaleh.

Considered as the most European of US film-makers, Woody Allen once again shows us the multiple connections that exist between different countries and between life and art, allowing us to inaugurate the 64th Festival de Cannes in the most beautiful way possible.

N. S.

The movie is scheduled for screening in the Grand Théâtre Lumière on Wednesday 11 May at 7pm and 11pm.