I was really happy; my agent, Sophie Barrois, had told me the news. She said: You can’t miss this festival; it’s such a wonderful event! It’s nice to introduce films like tonight, I like being in front of people, feeling their emotions. And it’s a very diverse audience: there are people of all origins in the theater, it’s amazing! I’m happy Jane Fonda is receiving the Lumière Award. Many of us grew up knowing of her father, Henry, and she herself is a great lady. She has dedicated her youth to her causes.”

It’s true, I had already made The Harem of Madame Osmane and Viva Algeria with Nadir, he’s someone I really get along well with, who lets me improvise. Délice Paloma was shot in France and Algeria. It was great to see these two teams working together, learning from each other. In Algeria, when filming had wrapped and the French team was leaving, everybody cried! I also remember an Algerian driver who had prepared a real feast at his house for the entire team!”