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Raymond Depardon. “In the 1960s, stars were posing for photographers, before the paparazzi and the hustle and bustle.”

Brigitte Bardot, Jean-Luc Godard, Catherine Deneuve, Jean Seberg, Romain Gary… Before becoming a big name in photojournalism, the legendary Gamma agency and becoming a famous humanist documentarian, the photographer began his career immortalizing movie stars.

These rare photographs are now the subject of a book, The click years, created with Gérard Lefort, but also from the exhibition of the same name at Galerie Cinéma in Paris. This title, The click years, takes on the artist’s documentary, released in 1984, presented at Cannes Classics this year.

Madame Figaro. – How was this double project born? ?
Raymond Depardon: photos of Years of operation slept in a box. I didn’t really like them because I thought they were too busy, poorly drawn, and I associated them a bit with old stuff. The idea came to remove them to see if I would change my mind and fall in love with them.

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A memory from the 1960s ?
The stars posed for photographers, they showed. I remember them gracefully getting out of their cars on the Champs-Élysées and taking their time with us. This was before paparazzi and celebrity buzz.

Is it different to photograph a celebrity and an ordinary person? ?
Yes, a little. But in general, I think you should know how to do both. The paradox is that I started with celebrities, then became terrified of photographing anonymous people on the street. Even today, I try not to disturb people, remain reserved, smile and respect image rights.

Is the last photo always the best? ?
It feels like we can have it because we have better control over framing and light, but sometimes the magic happens from the first photo.

I remember the stars flamboyantly getting out of their cars on the Champs-Élysées and taking time out for us. That was before the hype around paparazzi and celebrities

Raymond Depardo

A photographer to follow ?
Corentin Fohle, his work reminds me of Gilles Caron. I’ve hired a few young photographers at Gamma and I have an eye for the good ones. During demonstrations, I immediately see those who move and know how to position themselves.

Next documentary topic ?
Political woman. When I watch my movies, I only see men. Those were the times, but I have the impression that we filmed only half of humanity.

Is promoting myself a chore?
No, because I’m talkative and, like all single people, I need to talk a little. And then my family gets tired of hearing me go on and on about the same stories.

I have an eye for spotting good photographers

Raymond Depardo

The subject that throws me off my hinges ?
There are several, but I would say intolerance. I was fortunate enough to be sent to faraway places where people of all skin colors reached out to me. I know it’s not for everyone, but to get an education you should try to travel.

Misunderstanding about me ?
Photographers often appear as voyeurs, but I was very shy in the 1960s, contrary to all expectations, this lack of confidence was not a flaw, on the contrary, when I rediscover my photos, it brings something very beautiful, a kind of discretion. elegance and modesty. I maintain a certain distance that does not imprison the viewer.

What do I think when I look in the mirror in the morning? ?
That I will live long enough to witness the good news to come, because there is more than just bad to come.

When I watch my films, I see only men, but it feels like we only shot half of humanity;

Raymond Depardo

The next ecological challenge ?
Urban waste must be fought against. When I meet the farmers of the Cévennes, people who use very little, I see great relevance in this restraint.

Click years , by Raymond Depardon, produced with Gerard Lefort, Ed. du Seuil, 176 p., €33.90. Around thirty photographs from the book are on display until June 12 at Galerie Cinéma, 26, rue Saint-Claude, 75003 Paris. gallery-cinema.com

Source: Le Figaro

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