PRESS CONFERENCE
Jean Francois Stevenin
This year, the 43rd Thessaloniki International Film Festival will be presenting the directing work of a familiar figure in French cinema, Jean Francois Stevenin, who has played in numerous films. The festival will be screening three of his films, Mountain passage 1978, Double gentlemen 1986, and Mischka 2002.

In his speech, the director of the festival, Michel Demopoulos said, "Jean Francois Stevenin might not be well known in Greece but he is a familiar figure because of his appearances in many French films as leading and supporting actor. He has worked with Truffaut, Rivette and many other directors. He's been involved with cinema from many different posts".

The director explained how he became involved with cinema thanks to... Jimmy Hendrix: "One evening I was going to a Hendrix concert in Paris. While in line, I met a screenwriter. We got along very well and 15 days later I gave up my studies, family, everything and ended up as an assistant on the set of a film. I have to thank Jimmy Hendrix for that. Every eight years I make a film as an actor, producer, director or from some other position".

About Cassavetes
"The films that influenced me most when I was student were mainly by Cassavetes. I had the feeling that this person was speaking about things that interested me. His films were my entrance into cinema. I thought it would be interesting to make such films. I'm not a star, I don't have any formal training, nor did I attend the conservatoire, but nevertheless I felt that I could overcome all of this because I had already opened the door. This is something Cassavetes did to many people".

The French director was asked how he combines the parts of actor and director. "I'm able to do both, but not easily. I believe that to direct a film also means to produce it. I want to be responsible for everything. I made three films but I had an enormous desire to make them. As an actor, I usually learn the things I'm not supposed to do. I constantly try to perform my best but when I receive guidance from the director I often change my mind, which is something I do on an every-day basis".

The French filmmaker's films often include random encounters. "My three films are based on a few random occurrences or encounters. This is even more apparent in Mischka. It is about simple human beings. There is a little girl who, along with her brother, travel across France to see their father. It is about everyday problems of life. Little Claire's life begins with new adventures".

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