Emotional scene…more that than dancing. My husband is in the hospital because his big shaggy dog caused him to fall down and I am scared because I know I haven’t long and worry what will happen to him when I’m gone.

We shoot all this week in the apartment of my husband and me.

When we danced, Dominique moved with us, carrying the very heavy camera. Stephane, our director seemed pleased with the days work.

My cold is better thanks to the good French doctor–a woman. She took one step into the apartment the other day and sensed Eve (Ensler, whose apartment I am staying in) is a Buddhist.

I am off to call Richard and go to bed.

Assistant costumer, Joan Bich, fixing Claude's coat

Jurgen doing the same

Left to right, Head Hair stylist, Dominic Perot, Head costumer, Jurgen Doering and assistant costumer, Corentin Richard

Claude Rich and moi

Stephane Robelin's family. Can't see too clearly here but the children are absolutely adorable!

Dominique Colin carrying the very heavy Hi Def camera for the dance sequence

Dancing with Claude Rich

It went well although Sunday I was locked out of my apartment (locked my key inside) for 3 and a half hours and it was really cold and rainy and I caught a cold so feel crumby. Still do. My scene had no dialogue but was a more intense than I expected moment between Guy Bedos (Geraldine’s Husband and a life-long friend of my character) and me. It was so cold out there in the suburbs where we shot. I didn’t count on this when I packed. Wardrobe will loan me some heavy sweaters today.

Here are a few photos of the shoot. I forgot to take any of Guy and me. Today I film some good scenes with my husband, Pierre Richard, and I promise to do better in the photo department…but I do feel lousy. Went to bed at 8pm (took a pill) and just woke up and took Tulea out…it’s 6:30am. Usually I wake up closer to 9am and call Richard who is about to go to bed. I also call him before I go to bed when he is just waking up. (( hours difference.) Dig this: Calling on a French landline, calls to U.S. Are FREE!!!

Stephane Robelin, director, and Dominique Colin, cinematographer in back of car. They're filming me through the windows.

The house where me and my huband live

The crew

The dog--she plays a pivotal role. She is very gentle and gets along well with Tulea. Isn't she great looking?

See you next time.

This morning a wonderful Italian couple, Jean Paul Padovani et Claudia Miazzo, came to my apartment to give me a tango lesson for a scene that will be shot soon with Claude Rich. It was challenging for me to get the tango movements right but the music was inspiring and the teachers generous, skillful and kind. Tomorrow I practice with Claude himself in the studio. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

After that I went to the production office where the hair stylist, Dominic Perot, trimmed my hair–”I need to make it my own,” he said…and he did. I like what he did very much. It’s informal and a little boyish.

This is a photo of the makeup artist, Karina Gruais, who made everything look very natural and right for the character. It’s always a little nervous-making when you first encounter the people who determine how your character looks but I feel happy and confident. Besides, everyone so far that I have met on the production is very nice and easy going. The costumer, Jurgen Doering, is truly talented and lot of fun to work with. And our director, Stéphane Robelin, pays attention to every last detail from the shape of eyebrows to the color of the tennis shoes.

See you next time

Windows thrown open onto the river. Tulea sleeping peacefully on the Moroccan rug, the sunlight streaming in. There are lines around the block at 6 or 7 locations on the island where Berthillon ice cream is sold. I never realized how the French love their glaces! And for good reason…it is superb.

Tulea relaxing after a long walk

I worked for 3 hours today with the French dialogue coach. I memorize easily but have to repeat the French sentences over and over until the muscles of my tongue become accustomed to it. It’s fun. I am enjoying it a lot. I play an American who has lived here and taught at the Sorbonne so I have to speak very well. I will succeed!! I meet with the coach almost everyday and she will be on the set with me as well.

Then the hair and makeup people came over with Stéphane Robelin, the director, to discuss how I should look in preparation for tests tomorrow in the studio. Everyone I’ve met with the production is terribly nice which is important. At my age, I’ve come to feel that the process is just about as important as the product…it needs to be fun and humane.

All for now. See you next time.

I flew to Paris from Dusseldorf the morning after the UNESCO event first to have an interview with Annabelle, the Swiss magazine that is similar to our Marie Claire. This was at the behest of L’Oreal.

I wanted very much to take advantage of my first-class round trip ticket provided generously by UNESCO to stop by Paris. I am going to be making a French film in Paris in June and I had hoped the cast and director could arrange their schedules to have an introductory dinner together—give us all fantasies and mental images of our playmates between now and June. This will be my first film in French in almost 50 years!! It is a challenge I am greatly looking forward to and, I know, Vadim (my first French husband), will be very much with me during the shooting. It is a tender, humorous, charming story about two couples and another dear friend with whom the two women had once been lovers who, because of the financial and physical challenges of age, decide to all move in together. (As many seniors are doing these days) A young sociologist who is doing research on the lives of older people is invited to live with them as well. I play an American who has lived all her life in France and is a Professor of Philosophy at the Sorbonne.

Before the dinner, the author and film director, Stéphane Robelin and producer, Christophe Bruncher came to my hotel for drinks. I was startled by how young they both are, Stéphane is 39 and Christophe is 35. Just about the age of my children. This will be Stéphane’s first film but he has an air of confidence and creative vision that made me feel I will be safe. I think it’s fair to say we felt very comfortable together by the time we left for dinner.

Christophe, our producer, and Stéphane, our writer/director

We drove up the hill to the top of Montmartre where the iconic church, the round-domed Sacre Coeur, sits imposingly.

Sacre Coeur

Sacre Coeur

The first person I saw when I entered the dining room was Geraldine Chaplin who, with her Chilean cinematographer husband had come in from Switzerland for the evening. I was so excited when I learned she was going to be in the film as I have always wanted to meet her. I was on stage with her father the night he made his triumphant return to Hollywood to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oscars—the same night I won mine for “Klute.” I am really looking forward to getting to know Geraldine during the filming. I like the way she has done her life.

Daniel Bruhl, the new German star who appeared most recently in Quentin Tarrantino’s film with Brad Pitt, was able to fly in from Germany to be with us. Daniel will play the young researcher who moves in with us and with whom I develop a close friendship. I found Daniel’s presence sweet, attentive and soulful. Perfect for the role.

German star, Daniel Bruhl

Guy Bedos, the renown French actor, came to the dinner right from the theatre where he is performing a one-man show. The beloved French comedian, Pierre Richard, was there looking appropriately hirsute, sweet and bohemian to play the role of my husband. Only Claude Rich was not able to join us because he is touring in a play. This experienced, international cast brings heft and deep talent to our small, independent film. Most importantly, we could all tell that the seeds have been planted for real camaraderie and fun…and a lot of fine red wine.

Pierre Richard drove away in the rain on his motor bike and I went “home”“ for a few hours sleep before making the final trek back to Richard.

Guy Bedos and Pierre Richard...what handsome guys!

Pierre Richard, my 'husband'

I took a fancy to Geraldine's sneakers