Paris Je T'aime and us all
 

For those who have not had the pleasure of seeing the entire film "Paris Je T'aime", most or all of it has been posted on YouTube.

The film is a series of love stories, loosely defined, set across the arrondisements of Paris. Each segment, by a different director, lasts about five minutes.

One of the nicest segments, about an American visitor in the 14th, is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqstlUU_kD0

It will remind you of how you felt on your first visit, and if you haven't been to Paris, it will show you why those of us who love it are always pulled back.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks, Ackislander. I loved the film, and there are several segments I would like to see again.

I had this DVD on my Christmas list...so hopefully it'll show up under the Christmas tree!

Oh I really liked that segment too - it was the last one, wasn't it? Reminded me of myself except I have NEVER WORN A FANNY PACK!

Be sure to read the Fodor's article about Margot Martindale, the star of that final segment.

Margot says, by the way, that she is less "travel averse" than the article paints her to be.

My favorite moments in the whole film are her final sentiments: looking around the park at Parisians simply living life, she says "It was then that I fell in love with Paris, and that I felt Paris loved me, too." This, to me, is the deep experience that comes from being in a place long enough, and slowly enough, to be truly IN it. How else can one fall in love?

That is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

I also loved the voiceover of her 'French' with its terrible American accent (and fear I will never open my mouth in Paris again). =-O

Although I was disappointed in the movie as a whole, I fell completely in love with this segment, and I thank you so much for giving me the chance to watch it again -- whenever I want to!

This is the interview Tom refers to:

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_2568.html

See my post of 06 december on http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34713778

Thanks for raising awareness of this most delightful piece of work. I strongly recommend the extra bits that come as part of the DVD also.

Best holiday wishes,

Rex

That segment, and the one with Gena Rowlands were my favorites of the movie.

Thank you for posting this.

Johanna

Thanks for posting -- we just got this film from Netflix earlier this week, and really enjoyed most of it. A couple of segments (the man in the Chinese beauty salon??) were a bit mystifying!

By the way, does anyone know what building has the observation deck that the "American visitor in the 14th" goes to in the film? Looked like it provided a nice view of the city. Is it the Montparnasse tower?

yes - fantastic view from up there...

I am pretty sure (well, virtually certain) that the view is from the top of the Tour Montparnasse. The other virtue of being up there is the fact that you can't see the Tour!

I am pretty sure the park where she sits on the bench and looks down on the pond is the Parc Montsouris, a nice place to visit on the far end of the 14th with few tourists.

That clip is so moving. Paris is the only city I visit off and on over the years while harboring a love/hate for it. Not exactly a real hate, but a perplexed disturbance mixed with love for this city.

I have had outrageous, disturbing, frantic, bored, hilarious, educational and loving days there. Sometimes I leave and say I am never returning, that is that, I have seen Paris again and don't need to see it again, then in a few months something happens.

Other cities I have visited many times but it is a conscious decision, with Paris it sneaks up on me, through a song, a movie, a memory or a recipe and then I return yet again.

Thanks for sharing this clip, I will have to see this movie.

I loved the Coen short in the metro.too...but I didnt get the Asian one so much...as you all have said the last one is "genius"..I copied it and will play it again

I too loved the last short in the movie (and was perplexed at the salon one). The lone American female wandering around Paris was a reflection of my first trip.

I only wore a fanny pack once, my first day in St Petersburg. I had a private guide, and she told me in no uncertain terms to take it off! From then on I carried it as a purse off my shoulder....

And to give credit, that final segment was directed (and written as well, I think) by Omaha's own Alexander Payne, director of the Omaha-situated Election, Citizen Ruth, and About Schmidt. And Sideways, Inside Out etc.

About Margo Martindale, I've known her slightly for many years, from the time I worked with her husband. See her occasionally in the neighborhood. She is a doll.

MArgo had nice roles in The Hours and Million Dollar Baby and lots of other things you've seen - currently is in Dewey Cox.

One of the funny things in the film is the line where she says in the voice over that she was disappointed in French food, just as the camera shows her unfinished room service meal at the hotel.

Anyway, it is a lovely piece. And by the way, I will go on the record saying I liked the film as a whole - I LIKE it when something completely off the wall appears, espcially in a collection of 20 5-minute pieces.

AND I encourage anyone watching the DVD to also view the extra "behind the scenes" material with some of the directors and actors. Very entertaining.

Saw this movie a few days before I sent my daughter to Paris for a year. Was not the best timing, as I was scared to ***** afterwards.

Fortunately everything has worked out well though.

Intex, I can't imagine what worried you. I am not being snide or putting you down, I am just really, really curious. The vampires and the Chinese beauty parlor were clearly fantasy segments (and pretty tedious in my view), the boys on the Seine were just like boys at suburban malls, and there is very little in Pigalle to attract a female student.

I just can't remember anything else that was negative, unless she is going to work as a nursemaid and live in a banlieue. So let me know what I should worry about with my granddaughter!