LUC BESSON - BESSON QUITS FILMMAKING TO HELP STRUGGLING FRENCH KIDS

BESSON QUITS FILMMAKING TO HELP STRUGGLING FRENCH KIDS

Celebrated filmmaker LUC BESSON is quitting the movie business so he can concentrate on becoming a better Frenchman. THE FIFTH ELEMENT director admits he's "tired" and doesn't want to disappoint his fans with poor efforts, so he's turning his back on filmmaking to live a richer life. He says, "I worked in this business for 30 years now and I've made 10 films and I'm tired. I can't conceive to make a film if I don't give everything to it... I'd rather stop a little too soon than a little too late. "For me, life is bigger than cinema. There are plenty of things to do, like spending more time with the people you love. I want to be a better citizen and do more for my country and give back a little of what I got. I have a feeling I've got too much." Besson reveals one of the first things he'll do is help struggling Parisians find work: "I see too much misery and too much problems in my country. I see all these kids in bad neighbourhoods in Paris and they have no job and they try. "They study and they have a diploma but, because their name is Kareem or Abdul or they're black, they can't get a job at all. They have so much energy, they're great. "They don't want people to take care of their life; they want to prove they deserve it. I see more energy and willingness and power in these kids than in some kid in a rich neighbourhood in Paris. I know these kids. The only thing they need is just a little dignity and a little help."