FIRST DAY WITH DANIEL BRUHL

We shot a charming scene today—Pierre, me and the dog—with Daniel Bruhl. I saw immediately what a wonderful and subtle actor he is. (He was the young Nazi in “Inglorious Bastards,” Tarantino’s film.)

He is 31 years old and has made more than 30 movies. He started as an adolescent. Pierre told me today that he has really loved every single scene he has filmed so far on this movie—which, he said, is unusual.

After shooting (I got off early) I took Tulea for a long walk. So long I had to carry her back cause it was hot.

In this scene my husband and I are interviewing Daniel Bruhl (he plays a German student of ethnology in Paris) as a possible dog walker because the impetuous dog keeps pulling on his leash and has caused my husband to fall. After much hemming and hawing and objecting to the fact that the young student is German (my husband’s father was shot by the Nazis in 1941) he agrees to try him out. Many of my longest and loveliest scenes are when Dirk—the character’s name is Dirk—and I walk in the park with the dog. The characters have a real affinity. He is the only one who knows that I am dying and he helps me prepare my grave.

Pierre, Daniel, and the dog--photo of Simone de Beauvoir behind!!

me, Pierre and the director Stephane

Kesso Andrau, my lovely assistant who helps with Tulea while I shoot

The three Germans on the set--

dig that tongue

Kesso and Tulea

poor Tulea, she attracts every dog

...and lovers

Lots of musicians along the Seine

houseboat restaurant on the Seine

i am totally transfixed by the structure of Notre Dame

I love that the underneath of the bridges are made of wood.

coal being transported on the Seine

A wedding on board a Bateau Mouche

There are more and more modern buildings in Paris.

The parks along the Seine have lots of statues. interesting ones.

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25 Comments
  1. *sigh* I miss being on set. Sounds like a wonderful story – can’t wait to see the film. Odd question but…is that photo of you in the white frame in picture 6 of when you married Ted?

  2. Paris looks always…moving! It makes me weep! The pictures are great and each comment interesting. It really seems to be working on your movie which is usualy such an intimate feeling,a feeling of being in a family which noone else is allowed to enter. I never go visit other people’s sets, kinda makes me unconfortable, makes me feel as being an intruder. But this is differnet, I’m not seen, so I don’t feel bad, and still can get the energy, the silence, the concentration and the little space! You can imagine all and not bother the filming. Keep going!

  3. I just want to thank you so much for sharing your pictures…well, really your life..with us. Paris is somewhere so far from my world, but to see it through your lens, your eyes, it’s the next best thing to being there.

  4. I love these pictures! It’s fun to see more pictures of Daniel and Pierre! They are both such interesting looking people! Your pictures along the Seine are wonderful…the people, the boats and barges, the buildings, underneath the bridge! The one of Notre Dame is beautiful! Tulea looks like she feels right at home wherever she goes! Thank you for the information you give about your character in the movie. It makes it more fun to read about your journey making this movie….and understanding the different emotions you must be feeling as you work!:)

  5. Paris is a beautiful city. I was transfixed too by the old Notre Dame. We were lucky when we were on tour there. It was a Sunday, and our tour guide said that we could enter if we were respectful and sat down and listened. I don’t understand much French, but it was beautiful, nonetheless with the voices singing and the wonderful place itself. Enjoy this time and hope all goes well with the film.

  6. Hello Jane , interesting views , this film is looking more and more like a wonderful work for you, Seated next to a couple of nice French specking people from Maroon Africa in a coffee shop and just last night meet some French students on a bus , this is in Long Beach California.
    I found this wonderful one piece: Beethoven’s “Archduke” trio. http://www.archive.org/details/ISGM_Podcast-The_Concert-17 very good

  7. Dear jane~glad you & tulea had an afternoon stroll albeit poor puppy platz fr heat! Music waffing in lover’s ear. You must be missing the share w your beloved richard.~lady b and I sit on the steps of memorial church swatting early misquotos. MIT’s commencement was today. Finally-cambridge studentless for 2 quiet wks-then summer session begins. Weather jaunts btwn chilly>steamy>not yet summer. I’ll take the cool as long as it lasts before humidity!oy! xox m&lb

  8. Love seeing all of the Paris photos. You are really having a GREAT time living there and making this movie. It’s so great. If you have a little time off try and get to the D’Orsay Museum on the Seine since you love the architectural lines of buildings there and have a driver take you up to visit Giverny. (Too complicated by trains). It’s so beautiful this time of year. Have fun!

  9. Bonjour Jane,

    What a relaxing atmostphere on set. Pierre Richard (my idol-he is the reason why I became an comic actor and Danny Kaye did that for him too) and on the 1st picture he seems tout a fait à l’aise here.
    So far, the weather is good in Paris. It looks like it might be a hot shoot, but by the Seine it’s usually cool.
    The reason why I am commenting is that actors like yourself and Pierre give me the courage to persevere. It has not been always easy for me. I am also currently shooting a film here in New York. The crew is French, the producer is from the UK, and i’m French Canadian. My co-star is French actress, Elodie Bouchez. Your great pictures on set reflect the true camaraderie but also that independent, small budget feel you find in these productions. Like a real family. Just like the one i’m in now.
    Please say “Bonjour to Pierre for me from Philippe Hartmann”
    I wish you a great production and enjoy Paris. Please keep sending photos. Elles sont très belles!
    All the best. Amicalement. Philippe

  10. jane, your photos of paris are just exquisite – your love of the city shines through in them, and the photos of the filming are wonderfully interesting. so much fun to watch the process of movie making. thank you for continuing to blog about your life – it is always fascinating. you may tire of hearing it, but you look absolutely gorgeous. i hope we have a chance to see the film in america…

    • Jane,
      You look (again) glorious in the photos from your filming. And I LOVE the photos from Paris, ALMOST as good as being there.
      Take care of yourself and Tulea as you are there — I imagine that you must miss having Richard, and hope that he can come visit and you two can take romantic walks through the city.

      Thanks for all you do!!!

  11. yes, i agree wis really artistic!with the others bloggers, your blog is artistic ! !! thanks so much! tell Tullea to have a nice nap!

  12. This film will be a tear-jerker, for sure. Will it be distributed in the U.S., or will we be able to buy it on DVD? Or is it too early to know?

    Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. You motivate me so take excellent care of myself so that I can continue my own adventures for decades to come.

  13. Dear mlle j~now 7:06 waking blkberry msg signal. Still daylite for you perhaps strolling w your camera.glad your cold dispated.~your photograph @ dusk of seine & st lamps, umbrella in foregd, wrapped bldg to rt – is so perfect. A true “andre kertesz” who is my mentor.~pls have time for d’orsay musee. W your love of architecture and art-you’ll find heaven. A midnite wish fr montmartre always comes true. xox m&lb

  14. Jane,
    Love the photos and updates, and the little window into the making of the film!

    I, too, Love Notre Dame, there are little jewelery shops across from it, and I bought a little gold/glass replica of a stained glass window, when you hold it up to the light you can see all the colors. I love it and it is a reminder of Notre Dame when I can’t be there! Have received many compliments on it over the years! I think you would like it!

  15. I was supposed to be in France in late April/early May to visit relatives but was unable to make it. So it is lovely to be visiting Paris, one of my favorite places in the world (Montana is another one), vicariously through your blog and photos as well as being on set of your film. Thank you for sharing.

  16. Another winner for us and many thanks for continuing to share your days in Paris. Merci!!!

  17. Bonjour Jane,
    Merci pour votre blog qui nous permet, à moi et mes collègues de bureau de suivre avec beaucoup d’intérêt le tournage de votre nouveau film.
    Nous attendons cette prochaine semaine avec impatience!
    Sincèrement
    Nadine, la soeur de Fabienne

  18. Dear Jane:

    Thanks so very much for sharing your pictures,so lovely to see Paris in the summer and seeing everybody having a good time.
    You are a very giving person ,you makes us part of the filming experience as well as your day to day life.
    My admiration to you as always.
    Carmen

  19. The photos are making me homesick for France! What a beautiful country!

    I would not understand the movie unless it had English subtitles, but just seeing your photos and reading about it make me long to see it someday.

    Hope you have a great week!

    Hugs,
    Cak

  20. Ms. Fonda,

    I have been a fan for many years, and have really enjoyed your blogs. I have been a fan of many years, and really enjoy following along on your posts. Thank you for sharing.

  21. I was looking for an inspiration, for a new stained glass project for my bedroom window. A sunshine like Hannah Montana’s bedroom, I thought was perfect. But when I came to read your blog, I found the Notre Dame’s shot you took was even more perfect, and with meaning, because we’ve been in Paris on our Honeymoon 36 years ago! I’ll just make it match with our Blue & Yellow stained glass window (another icon of Paris art) from our living room.

    After reading your blog, and looking at all the photos, it gave me another inspiration, where to go on our next vacation! It would be so fun to visit there again.

    BTW: When I wanted to change my name and adding a middle name, before becoming an American Citizen in ’69, ‘Jane’ was the one I picked because of YOU! I thought it had a better tune from Florence to Flory Jane.

  22. I first discovered the lovely Daniel Bruhl when he starred in Ladies in Lavender. As I studied German at school, I rushed out to get copies of all of his German films. Absolutely fantastic.

    I look forward to the release of this picture.

  23. looks fantastic

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