Veteran French filmmaker Claude Lelouch, whose illustrious career spans nearly seven decades, has dismissed speculation that his latest film, “Finally,” will be his last. The 86-year-old director, celebrated for classics such as the Oscar-winning “A Man and a Woman,” made it clear at the Venice Film Festival that he has no plans to retire anytime soon.
The title of Lelouch’s new movie, “Finally,” sparked rumors among film enthusiasts in France that it might mark the end of his filmmaking journey. However, during a press conference in Venice, Lelouch quashed those rumors, expressing his eagerness to continue creating films. “I know I’m making my last films, of course, so I’m going to call this one ‘Finally,’ but I’m going to make another one called ‘Finally, It Never Ends,'” he revealed with a smile.
Lelouch emphasized that as long as new ideas keep coming to him, he will continue to pursue his passion for filmmaking. “Right now, I’ve never had so many ideas, so I can’t wait for next year to start filming,” he said, underscoring his enduring enthusiasm for his craft.
“Finally,” a comedy-drama, features actor Kad Merad as a lawyer on a cross-country road trip across France, seeking new purpose in his life. The film also stars Elsa Zylberstain, Sandrine Bonnaire, and singer Barbara Pravi. The movie, which is being shown out of competition at the Venice Film Festival, showcases Lelouch’s signature blend of humor and introspection.
In addition to screening “Finally,” the Venice Film Festival will honor Lelouch with a special Filmmaker Award, recognizing his significant contributions to cinema. Reflecting on his career and future projects, Lelouch likened life to a race: “In the final moments of this race, you need to speed up, not slow down.”
Lelouch’s words and the anticipation for his upcoming projects suggest that his creative journey is far from over. As one of France’s most enduring filmmakers, his commitment to cinema remains unwavering, promising audiences that there is still much more to come from this legendary director.
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