Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a filmmaker hard to dislike, especially if you like things a bit phantasmagorical. Prior to A Very Long Engagement (2004), his big hit Amelie (2001) and that one we don't talk about, Alien Resurrection (1997), Jeunet, with his filmmaking partner Marc Caro, excited the festival scene with Delicatessen (1991) and The City of Lost Children (1995). Both still refreshingly original films in design, idea and atmosphere.
Delicatessen is my favourite of Jeunet's films, though I'm sure I'd be outvoted and the charming Amelie would win in wider circles. And yes, Jeunet's skills as a director have improved since the earlier films, his last two features are much better structured and paced. But there's something I like about his two first features that I just respond to.
Anyway, here's a short film (7mins) written and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring one of his regulars, Dominique Pinon, that captures what it is about his films that I like so much. Made in 1989 it is called Foutaises or Things I Like, Things I Don't Like.
Enjoy.
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