I crossed the United States to meet people — Day 18!
Missouri! I’d stayed there the night before, really the kind of random roadside motel you come across. Old, smelling like cigarettes and worn-out carpet, with an air conditioner that makes an insane amount of noise. But at the same time, when you travel across the United States, you kind of expect to run into places like that, it’s part of the experience.
Sean gets bored, but he’s content with what he has. A wife, a place to live, a bit of money coming in. No ambition, no expectations, no disappointment. I don’t know if I fully agree with that philosophy, but being able to be satisfied with what you have can be a quality, or maybe even a form of wisdom. I guess I’m not quite there yet.
A suspended moment, just staring out the window.
Thanks Sean! And see you next week!!
I crossed the United States to meet people — Day 43! The journey is well underway… am I more comfortable now? Not really. I had to push myself to get this footage. It’s not in my nature to go up to people, especially in a country that isn’t mine, and ask to film them.
I remember stopping by chance at this roadside flea market, just because I like flea markets. I walk around, I look. Then I meet Mamadou. We talk briefly, but I don’t dare. I get back in my car, I merge onto the highway, but then I turn around. I force myself. For me, for the film.
I don’t know why it’s so hard. I don’t know why I’m scared. Scared of being noticed, maybe. Anyway, I’m yelling in my car, trying to give myself courage, and I go for it. It’s ridiculous, because it’s nothing.
I go back to see Mamadou, and of course he agrees. He’s even really happy to practice his French, and so am I, and to tell me his story. And I don’t regret it for a second. Because on his own, he represents America, the America of immigrants and workers.
Thank you for your wisdom, Mamadou. I’ll cherish this encounter forever. And I still have the good luck charm you gave me, tucked away in a drawer. See you someday!!
I crossed the United States to meet people — Day 10! Today, a small interlude in a town along the Great Lakes. It’s still the beginning of the journey, and I don’t have much confidence yet in what I’m doing. I decide to grab a burger at the only place open in town. That’s where I meet Troy, and we start talking. He invites me to go fishing with him the next day. I really appreciate his approach, his philosophy of life, and his relationship with time and nature. I loved that moment. It was simple. And I’ll always remember his legendary line: ‘Boys are busy today.’ See you next week!
I met Nick in one of the strangest places I came across during this trip. I arrived just before nightfall. Everyone had already had dinner and gone back to their rooms. There was no one to welcome me. I was about to keep moving, but then I ran into Nick. He told me that people here live in sync with the sun.
Arcosanti is a prototype of a utopian city created by the Italian architect Paolo Soleri in the 1970s. This self-sufficient haven is home to a few dozen people and is open to travelers for as little as $30, while even the shabbiest motel costs at least $80 a night. The residents take turns cooking, tending the garden or the rooms, and engaging in creative activities.
I went to sleep nearby and came back the next day to explore the place and spend time with Nick, who would become a friend. Over the course of several hours and conversations, I gradually discovered who he was. I think he appreciated those long, contextless discussions, where we didn’t really talk about ourselves or our past. And so do I.
That’s kind of the Arcosanti vibe—the past doesn’t matter. It’s a place rooted in the present moment.
Since then, I’ve seen him perform in at least four countries and filmed him at several gigs. A real encounter.
See you next week!!! #portraitsofamerica #roadtrip #travel
Very happy to share with you the first episode of this series, « Portraits of America. » I structured the film around my encounters, whether accidental or not.
I came across the word of God on the side of the road — and I’m sharing it with you here!!
See you next week!! #PortraitsofAmerica #roadtrip
It’s been 8 years. And I was not able to share anything about what I tried to do during this travel. Lack of confidence, laziness, fear, everything is possible to find an excuse to drop a project before the end. I have the feeling today that I need to share with you some of the footages. I should have done this years before. I owe this to all the people I met that trusted me and shared with me a bit of themselves. Mieux vaut tard que jamais. Let’s meet all this people, and let’s remember, Nick reached me this during the trip, that doing anything that creates, is better than doing nothing. Stay tuned!! #PortraitsofAmerica #travel #roadtrip
RELEASE DAY 😎
So happy I had to work with this little gem @philippine_off and my forever and best buddies @shawondasee
« Hypocrite » is out today, available everywhere 🦂
More to come, stay tuned!
