Christo in Paris

Between 1974 and 1995, Maysles Inc. made a total of five films about the conceptual artist Christo and his wife Jeanne-Claude. In these films, the originally Bulgarian artist is followed while making his famous artworks. In Paris, where he wrapped the Pont Neuf in massive cloths, the film crew followed him closely during his preparations for the project, which are characterised by the often difficult relationships with politicians, art experts and the Parisian people. The artist also tells his life story and the Christo couple revive memories of their first encounter. Initially, everybody is sceptical about the Parisian project, but when it is finished, Christo receives recognition through the commending words of the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang: 'Never before have people looked so long at the Pont Neuf as on the day it was hidden. Christo teaches us to look.