"It was repugnant, but it was the only way to communicate"

This quote by Alain Resnais speaks with the concept that often we should do things that we discover distasteful in order to accomplish a desired result. In this case, the wanted outcome is interaction. Resnais is recommending that although the means of interaction may be repugnant, it is still needed in order to get the message throughout. This could be interpreted in a range of methods, depending upon the context. For example, it might refer to a challenging conversation that needs to be had in order to resolve a conflict, or it could describe a circumstance in which a person need to use a language they are not comfortable with in order to interact with somebody else. In any case, Resnais is suggesting that although the means of communication might be unpleasant, it is still essential in order to accomplish the desired result.