Film

Prosper and Martine Assouline are behind the first luxury brand on Culture, publishing some of the most coveted tomes in the world. Here, they share some of their memories of cinema – from masterful cinematographers to the colourful charm of posters.

The past is forever, but the future of cinema and the arts remains one of optimism and fantasy. As the world changes — as unexplored subjects are brought closer to the lens — filmmakers, actors, and creatives in France are emerging with perspectives that have the power to change their society. This is their manifesto. Their J’Accuse; a call to arms, a rousing spark for their beloved metiers.

The following discussion took place between the actress Elsa Zylberstein and the Oscar-winning writer-director Sir Christopher Hampton. Over strong coffee, sitting in Sir Christopher’s colourful West London office, he intimately opened up about his life in theatre and cinema, and the uncompromising power of words.

"On me parle beaucoup de mon regard ces derniers temps." The director of L’Événement shares an essay on the pitfalls of categorisation in art and film.

Peregrine Kitchener-Fellowes explores Louis Malle's Damage, the controversial film from the director of Goodbye, Children and Elevator to the Gallows.

King’s College professor and film academic Ginette Vincendeau on the life and times of Jean Renoir.

Producer Lawrence Bender reflects on a career visiting Cannes with Tarantino, in this series of anecdotes.

These essays first appeared in Two Screenplays: The Blood of A Poet and The Testament of Orpheus (1985). Reprinted by permission of Marion Boyars Publishers, New York, London.

With her film Les Amandiers in competition at Cannes, Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi discusses the pleasures of looking to the past.

Virginie Mouzat looks into the under-appreciated magic of Francois Dorleac.