The producer-director duo constitutes the core of film-making. Yet like all couples, they may not be meant to stay together forever. Divorce, break-up, tensions – there are many metaphors to define how the relationship functions. There have also been numerous "wonderful stories" which have helped certain film-makers' careers flourish. If this relationship may be called “tumultuous,” it is because it comprises all of the elements which can lead to conflict: large sums of money at stake, oversized egos, and the need to juggle artistic ambitions with market demands.

Jean-Jacques Beineix, Lucas Belvaux, Robert Guédiguian, Benoît Jacquot, Patrice Leconte, Patrick Sobelman and Bertrand Tavernier contribute their own viewpoints and put into perspective their own experiences as producers and directors in dealing with the current challenges of the French cinema.