Lille is a small tourist town located at the crossroads of Europe. Brussels and Paris are just a few hours away. This part of northern France is very flat. The light is gray, but very sweet if you know how to use it. There is nothing extraordinary here. You need to look, to open your eyes wide and mind to see what I call the “quietly spectacular.” This is what I want to photograph in my series MUTE.

Lille is a pleasant town. It often rains. Sometimes I hate this town but when I leave it I am always happy to return. This is where I live. That’s all.

After the rain, when the sky discharges all its impurities, the light becomes sweet and white. I take the car and wander around. Take some pictures. Alone with myself.

People are cool. Because we don’t have the sun in the sky, the people here have the sun in their hearts. And then of course there’s the beer.

The weather. It often rains; the sky is gray and very low. It weighs on your mood.

All that can be seen while walking, without getting in the car.

Alec Soth, Joel & Ethan Coen, Thom Yorke