I went to Deauville to see Johnny on Tuesday but when I got there, I heard that he wasn't coming until Wednesday. Actually, Johnny had changed his mind! On Friday he didn’t wanted to come at all. But then on Saturday morning he wanted to come but only on Wednesday! So the festival had to change the program between Tuesday and Wednesday. Anyway, he came down to the Royal Hotel at noon. He had lunch and then had to do some interviews inside. He came in a black mercedes car. He was seated near to the driver and he was wearing his hat. He waved "hi" with his hand. There were many people waiting for him and some security guys were there to keep us away from the car. We had to stay outside of the hotel and the car went into the park lot so we could hardly see him when he got of the car. Everybody was screaming, "Johnny! Johnny!" but he didn’t turn toward us. He just went in the hotel. He was supposed to go to the Canal Plus TV program but didn’t show up. He canceled it!

Then the press conference was at 5 pm, just after the photocall. I was in line for 1 hour, to go to the press conference! So many people wanted to get in! It was crazy! I fought, but I got in! Yeah! He was alone and Ted Demme was not there. He stayed for 20 minutes, speaking about the movie. I took as many pictures as I could!!! I probably took the first 36 pictures in a minute! Then, when he was speaking, a guy asked me not to take pictures, even without flash. But he had the very good idea of leaving me alone after a while, so I took more photos!!! Yeah! Of course, he was smoking the whole time! He was so cute! Even if I didn’t really like his large pink shirt! Then at the end of the conference, many people came up to see him, to get some autographs. It was crazy! Then I left and ran to the corner of the street and I saw him in the car. He was going back to the hotel and the windows of the car were open! He waved "hi" again with his hand. It was fun! Then people saw him and started to run to the hotel!!! It was very funny! So I ran, too! But it was too late! When I got there, he had just gone inside!

Then he went to the screening of the movie, at 8.30pm. He was late (of course! same for the press conference!). But he came in the car up to the entrance so only the people waiting there for hours could see him! He signed a lot of autographs for people and then went inside. I tried to go inside, but I couldn’t. It was more than full! Even some people with passes couldn’t get in! I heard on the radio that he was seated in the back of the theater and then came on stage to promote the movie but didn’t say anything on stage (usually all the people say something, but we all know he doesn’t like that very much). They said he needed more than 20 minutes to go on stage because he was signing autographs for everybody on his way to the stage! How cool!!!! Then he left the festival right after on the first plane. He didn’t go back to the hotel. He also said in an interview in Deauville that he thinks that smoking marijuana should be legal. Some guys on TV spoke about his declaration on TV! It wasn’t very appreciated! OK, I think that’s it! End of the day! I missed him when he came out of the theater.

So, see you later, Johnny! It was nice to see you, even if it was only for 20 minutes!!!

Isa

Isa also saw Johnny in Paris on 6/18/03 -

Johnny came to Paris 2 days ago (6/18) for the Pirates promotion ! I couldn't believe it ! I thought he was in montreal !!!! A friend called me saying that he was there and getting ready to leave ! I showed up but needed 1 hour to go to Paris , I did it in half an hour ! (Hopeing not to be caught by the police ... ) and I saw him. It was so cool I haven't seen him for such a long time. I was so happy. It was really quick and we didn't had the time to speak really... many people were there. He just asked me what I was doing, and I didn't even remember what the hell I was doing of my life !!!!!!! Shame on me ! Gladly he didn't ask for my name I wouldn't have remember !!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to see him again. A bus driver stop by when I was with Johnny, opened the window and scream, "An authograph for the bus driver !!!" , and Johnny walked in the street, reached through the bus window and sign the paper for the guy !!! That was so umbelievable ! I may have a pic of that but I’m not sure it’s gonna be a great one ! I’ll see … It was greater at the deauville film festival, I had many pictures to share...