Paris Je T'aime: City Of Romance

Eighteen tales, 21 directors, multiple genres, multitude performers, talent galore, all romancing Paris, the city of love. The film is a collection of short films of five minutes each, and is a tribute to Paris and to cinema.

The stories are placed in no particular order but the flow of the involvement of the characters and stories is charming.

The range is enormous, from a man seeking a girlfriend to a grieving mother, an aspiring actress being nurtured by a blind boy, a young boy finding his soul mate in another boy, a French youth striking a friendship with a Muslim girl, a husband falling in love again with his dying wife, a father helping his daughter, a maid longing for her own child, a mime artist enacting the formation of his family, a love story being saved by Oscar Wilde, a drug addict attracted to her pusher, an elderly couple formalising an end to their relationship, a lonely woman finding herself as she embraces Paris and even a vampire love story .

But my favourite story is about a parking attendant who wants to have coffee with a girl. It brings a lump to the throat like none other.

Hats off to Tristan Crane for conceptualising this brilliant idea that roped in 18 internationally renowned directors to
come together for the film, and to Emmanuel Benbihy for weaving the 18 short films into one film, by providing the seamless transition.

For viewers seeking a similar but straighter storytelling see Love Actually. But for true cinema lovers, this movie is rare fare, don't miss it.

The writer is Creative & Programming Head, ZEE TV, Middle East.