ADRIEN COTHIER
ADRIEN COTHIER wearing the Leo cardigan no.003. He is a filmmaker living in New York City.
Do you have a soundtrack to your life?
Any music I can associate with a late 90s feel or an iconic cinematic memory. Everything But The Girl, Moby, Talk Talk, Lighthouse Family, Miles Davis, Vangelis... The Vanilla Sky O.S.T probably embodies that sentiment the most.
The best arthouse film?
Controversial films made for the sake of Art with no political agenda. La Grande Bouffe or Murmur of the Heart are great examples.
What was your last download?
Derek Cianfrance’s new HBO show “I know this much is true”. It’s pure melodrama at its finest.
If you were interviewing a fellow film director, what question would you ask them?
I would probably ask Steve McQueen what is the driving force behind his work. John Cassavetes said it was love. I’d be curious to know his.
What do you treasure most in your neighborhood or city?
Being a foreigner in New York is a precious burden. It forces you to be an eternal student of America’s enigmas.
Can you share some daily habits or rituals?
I’m terrible at this. During the quarantine I’ve barely mastered making decent filter coffee.
Who do you find to be an iconic person?
Gena Rowland, Sade and Susan Meiselas. Dare I say Dennis Rodman?
What is good design?
Something simple in both its beauty and usage. Like a minimalist poplin white shirt.
Where do you find good design?
Sweetu Patel who owns the store CHCM on Bond street has an incredible eclectic taste for well made, authentic clothing.
What do you still wish to learn?
Spanish guitar.
What should we be reading?
I’m a globalist at heart so I try to study and embrace thinkers from all sides of the political spectrum. I recommend Thomas Sowell, Zadie Smith, Reza Aslan, Coleman Hughes as a start. Not gonna lie, I loved reading David Mamet’s most controversial work to date, “The Secret Knowledge” on the dismantling of American Culture. He’s often full of shit but I needed to understand how he went from a being liberal hero to a fierce conservative advocate.
What is most difficult to find in contemporary culture?
Creative originality, genuine tolerance and a sense of humor.
What do you find most exciting in contemporary culture?
I struggle with this on a daily basis but I would not live in any other period.
What was the first piece of cultural work that really mattered to you?
Vivaldi’s four seasons made me start playing the violin. I quit after 8 tedious years.
What is the most enigmatic work you have seen?
Going to a midnight screening of Michael Mann’s HEAT at the Max Linder theater in Paris is arguably my best cinematic experience to date. It made me realize that this classic crime story was really a metaphor on the alienation of putting artistry in what you do.
What is still a mystery?
Hatred
Where is happiness found?
In the warm seat of a theater at an 11am screening, by myself.
What was the last thing you photographed?
A selfie I had to take for this brand called Leorosa. They make good jumpers!
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m in the development stages of a documentary on the life of musician Darondo and adapting a book on the Crown Heights riots of 1991 by French writer Colombe Schneck.