The filmmaker, writer, and director has long been an "activist" reader of Les Inrockuptibles, a French cultural magazine that has shaped the tastes and careers of many artists. He was once invited to serve as the magazine’s editor-in-chief for a special issue, an experience that brought back memories of a walk in Rennes with Étienne Daho, a French singer-songwriter. He recalls that his first encounter with Les Inrockuptibles might have been the issue featuring Lloyd Cole, Elvis Costello, or the Smiths, though he is not certain. He remembers being in Rennes, still under 20, and reading several magazines, including Cahiers du cinéma, Photographies Magazine, Le Magazine littéraire, and Les Inrockuptibles, driven by a desire to satisfy his curiosity and explore all forms of culture. Rennes, at the time, was a vibrant city with events like the Trans Musicales music festival and numerous concerts throughout the year. In the pages of Les Inrockuptibles, he was especially interested in finding news about the bands he admired—The House of Love, Ride, Prefab Sprout, The La's, and Morrissey. Over time, he began reading interviews with filmmakers, remembering one cover featuring the French director Henri Pialat sitting in a field. He does not think he saw the magazine as a source of criticism back then, but rather as something more sentimental—like a wave of love, beauty, and youthful excitement. It felt like hanging out with friends and hearing about the most beautiful girl or the most handsome boy in town. When Les Inrockuptibles became a weekly publication, his relationship with the magazine changed. It became more than just reading—it felt like being an activist. The joy remained, but there was a stronger sense of commitment and purpose. His first novel was reviewed in the magazine, though he no longer remembers the critics’ opinions. His first film had not impressed Serge Kaganski, a respected film critic, and he admits it didn’t impress him either, but he never held it against the magazine. He recalls being photographed by Renaud Monfourny in an apartment on Boulevard Magenta, before the birth of his daughter. He believes it is one of his favorite photos of himself, though he can’t remember if it was for a film or a book. This was during the time of his film Ma mère. Starting with Dans Paris, he felt his relationship with Les Inrockuptibles became more serious. He felt he was better understood and seen in the magazine than anywhere else. Much later, the magazine offered him the chance to be editor-in-chief for a single issue. It was in the autumn before the pandemic, a difficult time for him, often described as the worst period of his life. Yet, this issue gave him the opportunity to walk around Rennes with Étienne Daho, visiting each other’s old student apartments. He never imagined, when he was 20 and listening to Étienne Daho’s album Paris ailleurs on repeat, that he would one day experience such a moment. The 40th anniversary edition of Les Inrockuptibles features testimonies from over 250 artists and cultural figures who share their memories of the magazine.