AFI Dallas sneak preview and audio interview: Christophe Barratier and Nora Arnezeder for Paris 36

by John P. Meyer

He's a thoughtful and dedicated filmmaker; she's a star on the rise.

In this second of three filmmaker interview teasers for upcoming AFI Dallas shows we spotlight Christophe Barratier, writer/director of Paris 36, and his charming and talented lead actress, Nora Arnezeder - who makes her first feature film appearance in this stylish, atmospheric period piece about people coming together in pre-WWII Paris to keep a struggling theater alive. (While, in the streets outside, socialism and fascism do battle in the hearts and minds of Parisians.)

We'll post a complete review of the movie when it opens locally (April 17), but before (or after!) next Wednesday's AFI screening you can listen here to Christophe and Nora talking about their collaboration on the film.

As the audio reveals, these two are delightful interviewees - with delightful French accents, naturallement. What comes across with great conviction is that Christophe is a thoughtful and dedicated filmmaker, and that Nora is loaded to overflowing with personality and charm: truly a star in the making.

I am joined in the interview by Frank Swietek, Alice Reese and Todd Jorgensen (of the Denton Record Chronicle).

As might be expected from a professor of history, Frank leads off the questioning with one about - you guessed it - history.