His recent exhibition in Hanoi, entitled “Stand, life goes on” is a collection of 50 colour photos presented in the form of a photo story. Nicolas said Vietnam has charmed him.

Reporter: There seems to be a contradiction in the name of your exhibition “Stand, life goes on”. What do you think?

Mr Cornet: I first came to Vietnam in 1987 when the country was at a difficult time. Working with people in the streets, I realized that they were still affected by the past. Therefore, I named my fist part of the exhibition “Stand”. Later, I witnessed how Vietnamese people were overcoming the past, but I didn’t know what challenges lie ahead for them. Therefore, I named the second part of my exhibition “Life goes on” to express my hopes.

Reporter: You said Vietnam has charmed you. Why?

Mr Cornet: I think emotion is still something of an important value for Vietnamese people. People whom I met during my work or in the streets and their relatives all seem important to me. I would not have spent 20 years traveling across Vietnam three or four times a year without help from Vietnamese acquaintances.

I love Vietnam most among the Asian countries which I have worked in. My wife is a French woman of Vietnamese origin. I can speak Vietnamese and my children are learning the Vietnamese language. I also have close relations with Vietnamese people. When I take portrait photos, I can see their eyes looking straight into mine and I realize how close we have become.

Reporter: What is your intention of presenting contrasting works of art?

Mr Cornet: Any person who lives in a country is always closely associated with the history of that country. There is a direct link between the present and history. Those who appear in the photos also have a link with the history. However, I only take these photos by accident.

Reporter: Of the 50 works of art at the exhibition, what photos do you like best?

Mr Cornet: I like the photo “Hoi An ancient town, and playing chess in pagoda” as they stay with me forever. I love the image of two chess players, which is very familiar to Vietnamese people.

Reporter: Do you remember the first time you came to Vietnam in 1987?

Mr Cornet: When I came to Vietnam for the first time, I could not communicate with Vietnamese people and they did not want to talk to me. My working conditions were very difficult at the time. Now, everything has changed.

Reporter: Could you tell us something about your Vietnamese wife?

Mr Cornet: I don’t think that people will have much time to listen to my story. I have a small family and I have to work far from home. Therefore, my wife and I have a strong attachment to each other. My two children always hold me firmly and won’t let me go. I often work far from home, about 4-5 months in a year.

Reporter: What are your plans after the exhibition?

Mr Cornet: I plan to make some documentary films about Vietnam by combining both photos and movies. I will soon display the photos of Vietnam at exhibitions in Indonesia, France, and Switzerland. 

Reporter: Thank you very much.