Another Year

Another year is over, dear readers.
In 2011, Zazie has gone to the movies 74 times. As usual, I have seen movies coming from all countries, having different languages, different budgets, stories, possibilities, motivations, views, lights and faces. It has been a year of incredibly high quality cinema and I have enjoyed immensely almost every single picture I have seen. Many incredible things happened, related to cinema, and these are moments worth to remember. 
Here for you, Zazie’s cinematic highlights of 2011: 

1 – January
Sir Michael Caine’s Master Class at the Forum des Images in Paris: not only a great actor but also a perfect gentleman. Smart, funny and humble. La classe, quoi!

2 - February

Matthew Weiner (Mad Men's creator) Master Class, always at the Forum des Images in Paris: Weiner’s passionate account of his meticulous method let me understand that behind outstanding results there is always an incredible amount of work. Chapeau!

3 - February

Michael Lonsdale's Master Class at the Rond-Point Theatre in Paris: amazing actor, adorable human being. Listening to him talking about his life and work has been a rare and precious privilege. J’adore!

4 - March

Bumping by chance into Irish actor Gabriel Byrne at the avant-première of Margin Call at Moma Titus Theatre in New York: being in the same room with Doctor Paul Weston, “the shrink we all would like to have”, let me understand that I need to be In Treatment for the rest of my life. Do you accept new patients, Doc?

5 - September

Meeting and spending time with Italian filmmaker Nanni Moretti during his visit in Paris for the complete retrospective of his work at the Cinémathèque Française: it was simply great to find out that Nanni is nice, funny and the greatest cinéphile ever. Michele Apicella For Ever!!!

6 - October 

Seeing Ralph Fiennes playing Prospero in The Tempest by William Shakespeare at the Royal Haymarket Theatre in London: on stage, Fiennes is almost too good to be true. And with that beard, even more irresistible!

7 - November

Seeing Jean-Louis Trintignant reading French poems at the Odéon Theatre in Paris: I can’t find the words to describe how amazing was his performance. Sublime is maybe the most appropriate adjective. I will never forget this moment!

8 - November

The avant-première of the movie Shame by Steve McQueen at the MK2 Bibliothèque in Paris with Michael Fassbender present in flesh and blood: the moment I was waiting for in all these years... more than an actor, an apparition. I was very surprised to actually see him, I thought he was a mere product of my imagination!!!

9 - December

Mike Leigh's Master Class at the Forum des Images in Paris: Leigh is more than a simple director, to me, he is a real Maestro. It was marvellous listening to him talking about his movies. I just can't get enough! 

I hope the new year will be plenty of great cinema and great things for you ALL, my friends.

I leave you with the images of my favourite "New Year's Eve" movie, the indie jewel In Search of a Midnight Kiss by Alex Holdridge (2007).

Happy 2012, my Dear Readers!