MOUFFETARD

Mouffetard is one of my favourite areas in Paris. I lived there for almost a year in the mid-nineties. It has great cafes, bars restaurants around Place Contrescarpe and Rue du Pot de Fer and one of the best markets in Paris at the lower end. I used to go to the Cafe Mouffetard almost every day, just like Julie in the film, drink coffee or a kir and smoke a lot, just observing life passing by outside. My favourite scene is where she is sitting in the cafe listening to the busker playing the recorder and seeing the effect the melody has on her. I have a special relationship with this film. There is something very personal about the story. I think anyone who has suffered that kind of bereavement will relate to the emotions which torment Julie. It is so tempting to want to withdraw from the world, sever all ties and try to make sure you never leave yourself vulnerable to this kind of loss again. Kieslowski did a fine job in addressing these issues.