A group of ten of us, including much welcomed new faces, gathered in the computer corner to discuss Day for Night. We also talked about the short films, which this time were made by skilled members themselves.
Our discussion leader told us about Victorine Studios in Nice, which are where Day for Night is set. Amusingly, the last film made there was Mr Bean’s Holiday. We also heard about the long tensions between Jean-Luc Goddard and Francois Truffaut, despite the director using some of Goddatd’s devices, such as the freeze frame technique.
We valued the characters depicted in this warm satirical homage to film-making. All were totally individual. The wife who hated film and called it all a lie was particularly appreciated. As many critics did, we noticed the excellent acting of the script girl, who made the most of the role.
Although Day for Night was about making a film, the tensions and joys experienced by the director, played by Truffaut himself and his team, were a microcosm of life. We found it fascinating to separate what was in Je Vous Presente Pamela and what was outside of it, what was ‘real’ and what wasn’t.
There were flirtations and affairs within the film, but all done in a very innocent way.
We also discussed Gordon’s tremendous film about our cinema and Rusthall, Michael’s very touching creative film made in response to the community play and Jeanne’s atmospheric exploration of Montreal sculptor Stanley’s life.
Anne