Claude Lelouch

“[Translated] Well, I really loved Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, of course, because it was at a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie that my father met my mother. That was in 1935 or 1936. And a few years later, it was Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers who presented me with the Oscar. So, since I'm a little superstitious, I think Fred Astaire is around here somewhere... Here we are: Swing Time. I'm taking this one.”

“[Translated] I think Chaplin invented everything. He invented everything... Well, he was lucky to be among the first, but I think all of Chaplin's films speak to today's world, Modern Times... And love, as in City Lights. He talked about politics in The Great Dictator. I think, all while having fun, Chaplin opened so many doors. And I think he's a dad to all of us. The Circus. I think that's one of Chaplin's most beautiful films. An absolute masterpiece. A marvel. All of Chaplin's films are amazing, but this one...”

“[Translated] Do you have Il Sorpasso? I love it. It's because of this film that I cast Jean-Louis Trintignant in A Man and a Woman. It was because I saw this film. Trintignant and Gassman... They complement each other so well.”

“[Translated] So in Italian cinema, of course... There's Ettore Scola. A Special Day. A marvel. Mastroianni and Sophia Loren, I would have loved to have them for A Man and a Woman. They could have replaced Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant. This is a magnificent film. It's about politics, love... It's about everything. And they're so beautiful! So...”

“[Translated] If I may, I'll take all of Tati. Because you can't skip any of them. This is perfection. He's our Chaplin. I was lucky enough to meet him, and to speak with him briefly.”