From Faber & Faber's Projections: Tod Lippy's interview with David Picker

What about Last Tango in Paris?

That was a phone call from Alberto Grimaldi, the producer. That had been at Paramount - just like Tom Jones had been at another company. I'd been involved in the Clint Eastwood Westerns with Alberto, and he said, "Bernardo's got this project. Here's the cost, I can send you the treatment. It's Brando, and Paramount doesn't want to use him." I asked him to send me the treatment. And we made a deal based on the treatment and, of course, the director. I was a big fan of Bertolucci's.

I mean, when you're able to move quickly, give answers quickly, and when you're known for being sympathetic to the creative process - it's still not easy, but you have access to everything. And you know, we were tough businessmen. We didn't roll over and play dead. But, they knew there was enormous respect for the creative process. And we were in business - it was kind of scary - with everyone. Fellini, Bergman, Truffaut, I worked with them all - although to call it "work" is sort of ridiculous. And then you add on the top of that the Beatles, the James Bond franchise...

Projections 11
New York Film-Makers on Film-making
edited by Tod Lippy
faber and faber
© copyright Tod Lippy, 2000