Paris, Je T'aime

This collection of 22 short films looks at the meaning of love in the City of Light. It’s an uneven work: on the downside, there are tired stereotypes (mimes in love! Vampires in love!), while on the upside several directors offer less romantic but more moving views of love in the hard times that many Parisians — especially its immigrant population — must face, while others fully realise the tragicomedy that lives at the heart of love. Each film ostensibly represents a Paris neighbourhood, and if you are familiar with the city, the character of the quartier adds a layer of meaning. If not, you can simply enjoy the telegenic city and its range of disaffected, baffled, amorous, struggling citizens, all of whom are united by a passion for love of some kind. The directing roster includes famous names Wes Craven, the Coen Brothers, Gus van Sant, Alfonso Cuarón and Alexander Payne, along with international rising stars Vincenzo Natali, Isabel Coixet, Olivier Assayas and others. An all-star cast includes Juliette Binoche, Seydou Boro, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Steve Buscemi, Elijah Wood, Barbet Schroeder, Bob Hoskins, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Nick Nolte, Gena Rowland, Natalie Portman, Rufus Sewell and tons of other notable talent. With a warm croissant dunked in your café au lait, Paris, Je T’aime is lovely Sunday viewing.