Open Your Eyes

Sometimes love or lust makes us do the craziest things. Often we disregard the conventional way of thinking, acting or even driving when wrapped up in that special moment. In 1976, Claude Lelouch directed a world famous short film of a high speed drive through Paris where the rules of the road seemed meaningless. Red lights, one way streets, the safety and well-being of pigeons and of course speed limits were of no value when it came to the driver reaching his final destination.

C'était un rendez-vous is an 8 minute film beginning in a tunnel of the Paris Périphérique at Porte Dauphine and ending at Sacré Cœur. Shot in a single take during the wee hours of the morning, one camera attached to the front bumper of an unknown vehicle passes historic landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra Garnier, Place de la Concorde, the obelisk and the Champs-Élysées. Much controversy surrounds the making of the film as the actual driver is never unveiled. Some believe he is an unnamed F1 racer, a taxi driver or even Lelouch himself.

The very first time Lelouch granted usage rights to anyone was only a few years ago. The band, Snow Patrol, were the lucky ones using the footage for their music video to "Open Your Eyes". Enjoy and drive safely readers!