Je préfère qu’on reste amis

Since the film revolves around the evolving relationship between two lonely men played by Gérard Depardieu and Jean-Paul Rouve, the tone and density of the lighting contributed to the definition of this relationship. This was one of the main stakes of this adventure, along with the directors’ will to never neglect the aesthetics of their comedy, whether from the framing, or the directing point of view.

At the start of filming, in Paris, at night, I often had to deal with the delicate problem of "draping" bars, night clubs, apartments or restaurants. The real night-time outdoor shots then look like openings or photographic vents, and offered a freedom of movement that the directors cleverly succeeded in using to their advantage when directing the actors.

This film was a comedy not only on film ! The Depardieu-Rouve repartee and the surreal appearances of Madame Annie Girardot considerably brightened our working days.

(Translated from French by Moira Tulloch)