CQ (film)

CQ is a 2001 comedy-drama film written and directed by Roman Coppola. The film stars Jeremy Davies, Angela Lindvall, Gérard Depardieu, Jason Schwartzman, and Giancarlo Giannini.

The film centers on Paul (Davies), a young American film editor working in Paris in 1969. He is tasked with editing "Dragonfly," a low-budget science fiction film directed by the egocentric and temperamental Serge (Depardieu). Paul becomes increasingly disillusioned with his work and preoccupied with filming his own personal documentary about lost love.

The science fiction film within a film, "Dragonfly," is a campy and stylized pastiche of European science fiction films of the era, featuring a mysterious female agent known as Dragonfly (Lindvall) who battles against an evil organization. As Paul spends more time editing "Dragonfly," he becomes increasingly drawn into its world, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. He begins to identify with the film's hero and even imagines himself as Dragonfly's protector, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and romance.

CQ explores themes of filmmaking, artistic inspiration, self-identity, and the power of cinema. The film's title, "CQ," is a common radio code used to signal a general broadcast or call to everyone, reflecting the film's broader themes of communication and connection. While not a major commercial success, CQ received generally positive reviews for its stylish visuals, quirky humor, and exploration of the creative process.