Batch. He creates his publishing house and publishes “Barry Lyndon”, already almost out of print.

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While publishing houses are struggling, François Betz created his own, at home, in the Lot: the Simeio Editions. Son 2^e work promises to be an event at the Brive Book Fair (November 8, 9 and 10, 2024)and it is already almost sold out…

François Betz lives in Lanzacon the banks of the Dordognewhere he founded Éditions Simeio, with the leading role in publishing prestigious works dedicated toart and culture. These November 8, 9 and 10, 2024, at the Brive Book Fair, he will present “ Barry Lyndon ” of Stanley Kubrickin the presence of Jan Harlanbrother-in-law of the famous American director.

La Vie Quercynoise: Could this be your affiliation with Pierre Betz, co-founder of the art magazine “Le Point”

which explains who you are?

François Betz: Yes and no. I was actually born with this family history steeped in art and culture. However, I tried to have my own life and not just follow in my ancestor's footsteps. Which means that I was able to do lots of things, in the field of finance, the recording industry, as an author-screenwriter at Canal +… I created my audiovisual production company and musical editions. But this hectic life forced me to make several return trips per month between the Lot and Paris. And with the Covid that I contracted in a serious form, I put a stop to all that, by deciding not to leave the Lot. Almost no more! So, in 2021, I launched Éditions Simeio dedicated to culture in all its forms with a weakness for the unpublished and archives.

And there, you published the work “Punk. T”, a masterstroke, which inevitably brings you back to Pierre Betz, since it is the highlighting of this formidable artistic and literary saga which lasted more than 25 years with all the great names who marked this period from 1936 to 1962; from Aragon to Tzara via Éluard. François somehow finds Pierre?

Everything about this masterpiece of cinema told, for the first time by those who made this film. © Simeio Editions

And this year, you do it again with this fabulous work, “Barry Lyndon” by Stanley Kubrick; you still have to have ambition if not a certain lack of awareness to embark on such a project?

It was while going to present the work “Punk. T” at La Gare Robert Doisneau in Carlux (24) where a space is reserved for Pierre Betz and the magazine Le Point, that at the time of the cocktail, the programmer of the place to whom I confided my passion for working on archives, told me straight away: “Ah if you like archives, there are those of Kubrick, 10 minutes from here! “. I can't believe my ears. And this lady explains to me that Stanley Kubrick's brother-in-law, Jan Harlan, who manages Kubrick's memory and all rights, owns a house in Beynac. You can imagine what my reaction was, knowing that Stanley Kubrick is my favorite director. So I went to meet Jan Harlan to present my work to him, to tell him of my desire to publish beautiful Books. I give him a copy of the limited edition of “Punk. T” and he said yes straight away! Some time later I learned that for 50 years, the answer had been “no” for everyone.

Are you presenting the work at the Brive Book Fair (next November 8, 9, 10) in the presence of Jan Harlan, Stanley Kubrick's brother-in-law, a double event?

Yes, Jan Harlan is expected to be in Brive. It will begin with a master class at Arsonval high school with cinema students. Then, he will participate in the Grands Entretiens du Point, interviewed by Élise Lépine, journalist and columnist in the show Mauvais Genres on France Culture. On Sunday, at the Rex Cinema, at 2 p.m. there will be a screening of the film “Barry Lyndon” and at 5 p.m. a discussion before a signing session by Jan Harlan.

And after these two prestigious works?

Fine Books format published by Simeio, winner of the 2023 Manufacturing Edition Trophy. © Simeio Editions

In addition to these prestigious works that are “Punk. T” and “Barry Lyndon”, with a limited edition, what are you still publishing?

In the Culture and Poetry niche, we are seeking to enter into a publication rhythm of around four books per year. We also wish to publish three works, promoting an artistic or poetic approach, such as Flanisphere, a collection of aphorisms produced with a drawing artist. On track, two ideas for poetry collections and a children's story, again with the help of an exceptional artist. It is important to us to reveal talents.

The work “Barry Lyndon” by Stanley Kubrick received an enthusiastic reception from booksellers almost everywhere in France unlike the Lot, except in Gourdon, where it is prominently featured at the “Des livres et vous” bookseller. A paradox, when it is a local product, which one might think would be the pride of the country.

Le Point is an artistic and literary magazine, created by Pierre Betz in 1961. It was edited and printed by Pierre Braun between Colm [email protected] ar, Lanzac and Souillac until 1962. The photographer Robert Doisneau actively participated in the magazine for which he produced most of his first portraits of artists and writers.

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