266 Derrida 1963–1983
go for a walk in the vast grounds where there were magnifi cent
trees. In the villages nearby, there were fi ve cinemas. Every
evening, we’d go and see a diff erent fi lm. It was thanks to
this villa that I was able to preserve such faithful and deep
friendships.^23For Derrida, these weeks at the Adamis’ were closer to real holi-
days than the times he spent in Nice or at Les Rassats. Of course, he
got up very early and worked all morning. But the rest of the time
he was able to relax. He enjoyed conversations with Adami as much
as the aff ectionate teasing of his wife: ‘I often used to provoke him,’
remembers Camilla Adami,
which disconcerted him a little, since he was more used to
talking to men. In spite of his love of women and his closeness
to feminism, he still had a bit of a misogynistic side, like many
men of his generation. But when he felt he could trust you, he
could be very witty. We used to joke a lot, perhaps because
he’d left his usual circles behind. And he loved dancing... He
would also agree to experiences that were quite unusual for
him: every year, Valerio would direct a tableau vivant inspired
by a classical picture, such as The Miraculous Draught of Fishes
or The Massacre of th e Innocents. Jacques cheerfully joined in,
with Marguerite and the children.^24