35 - COCTEAU, Jean (1889–1963).

COCTEAU, Jean (1889–1963). Autograph manuscript signed “Jean Cocteau” [July 1950]; on 1 page, in-4 format (receipt stamp dated July 11, 1950). On Christian BÉRARD’s work on the film *Orphée*. Note: “The work on *Orphée* must have been, if I’m not mistaken, Christian Bérard’s last project before *Les Fourberies de Scapin*. He was staying at my country house. I would write, and he would draw. At night I would wake up with a start, go wake him up in his room, and ask him to help me solve the film’s countless problems. We had to preserve the mythological thread while bringing the whole thing in line with our modern sensibilities. We had to kill the lyricism and resurrect it in another, more subtle form. Bérard was a master of this kind of sorcery. Georges Auric joined us, and we showed him our script and the marvelous large gouaches that I am exhibiting. Bérard said, “Orpheus’s death must be very elegant, since death is concerned only with itself.” Death deprived me of his help. I did not dare entrust this undertaking to anyone else. I searched for real locations that would correspond to his vision. I found the ruins of the Saint-Cyr barracks. But his advice has guided me and still guides me. Even in death, he watches over every detail.”