Reciprocity

Jean-Paul Delamotte A.M. (1931-2019) was a French writer and film producer who visited Australia in 1974, and promptly engaged with translating and promoting Australian culture through its films and books. This book celebrating his life, is a mosaic of memories that cover his zeal for a reciprocity between France and Australia, the creation of the Association Culturelle Franco-Australienne with his wife Monique in Paris, and their total immersion and engagement in aiding visiting Australian writers, filmmakers, artists, musicians, academics and students.

He claimed: 'Love of one's country coupled with love of one's chosen and adopted culture is a seductive and rewarding course to follow' (Reciprocity, 20).

From his early days as a lecturer in the French Department the University of Newcastle he tapped into the strength of Australia's new film-makers, translating Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock and utilising his links in France to get the film to French audiences. An early friendship with Frank Moorhouse enabled Frank to live and work in France to complete his Grand Days trilogy and find French publishers through Jean-Paul's translation. When Gough Whitlam was appointed Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris, the Whitlams found a firm friendship with the Delamottes, and backed the evolution of A.C.F.A. As Gough exclaimed:

"Comrade, let us ... create a "little window" in Paris for Australia ... as you both have..'