What a dramatic airport!

The above line is spoken by Mel Brooks at the end of the opening title sequence of HIGH ANXIETY, and I always think of it when I see the opening of SUSPIRIA, as we did in Bologna. Having booked a cheap but very lengthy two-stage return journey, we found ourselves waiting for a flight to Paris from which we would, hopefully, go on home (last year I got stuck in the City of Light for two days, but what are the chances of that happening again?)

We were sat in a crowded airport café when I noticed a familiar, tiny bird-like figure drop by. We offered our seats. “No no no!” But we told her getting to give up our seats was the highlight of Il Cinema Ritrovato for us. A brief conversation ensued. “Would you like a photo?” asked the Goddess. We readily agreed.

Anna Karina asked where we were from.

Scotland.

“Andy Murray!” declared the star of VIVRE SA VIE. A bit of a conversational dead-end as I’d struggle to tell you who he is or what he does for a living.

Edinburgh.

“We have been there!” she declared. “We were looking for singers.” Her friend, the photographer, added, “And we also went to that other, darker city.” This made us laugh, and it’s going to be Glasgow’s new nickname from now on, at least in our household.

That was about it. We were on the same plane. We knew nothing could happen to us.