from Guy Debord

To Gianfranco Sanguinetti
2 August 1977
Dear Gianfranco:

Here are two letters of which I received copies from Champ Libre, which seems not to have given them to you. Give your instructions to Champ Libre, which has also changed its address: 13, rue de Bearn, 75003 Paris -- tel. 272 27 00.

In France, although one has spoken of Censor more than any other book published by Champ Libre, the sales in eleven months have been very limited, because it is exactly against this book that sabotage of its distribution -- at an absolute level -- was organized by the distributors themselves. At this level, the sabotage continued against all the subsequent books [published by Champ Libre] and it is only at this moment that one begins to break it through new procedures.

So as to treat the problems (id est good problems) that remain, I can receive Niccolo[1] in October at the chateau where you knew Boujoum. If Niccolo uses the train, I can wait at the station where, one day, we saw off Slavia -- have him communicate the day and hour without any other commentary.

When I filmed in Venice in January, the Calabrais[2] did not show themselves, but from a few indirect signs, I knew they were not faraway.

Recall to Niccolo, on a more personal level, that I have esteemed him according to his merit (which rarely appears, given his unfortunate conduct), but that he has tired out my benevolence, which has never been unlimited for anyone, due to severe poverties that have too frequently reappeared. With the result that now, as an understanding physician might tell him, at every hour it is necessary for him to "drink intelligently."[3]

Best wishes,
Guy

[1] Gianfranco Sanguinetti.

[2] The police (a play on the name of police Commissioner Calabresi).

[3] Translator's note: a reference to the treatment for alcoholism that Sanguinetti needed to receive. See letter dated 25 September 1974.


(Published in Guy Debord Correspondance, Vol 5: Janvier 1973-Decembre 1978 by Librairie Artheme Fayard, 2005. Translated from the French by NOT BORED! April 2007. Footnotes by Alice Debord, except where noted.)




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