Buñuel has long been one of my favorite directors, and no matter where he worked (Spain, Mexico, France) nor which language his actors spoke (Spanish or French) he remained a singular and original artist, a filmmaker apart from all others.

Why choose Viridiana? Because it is a masterpiece, pure and simple.  And also because it happens to be the last film I watched with my mother, who died nearly six years ago.  My mother was not a deeply educated person and rarely read books (mine included), but she was an ardent, open-minded fan of the movies.  I thought she might be disturbed or upset by Viridiana, but she watched it with intense concentration, and when it was over, she turned to me and said: "That's a great film."

A women of excellent taste - I offer this work by Buñuel in her honor.

PAUL AUSTER