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For those who work in independent film in New York or LA – the announcement that Gen Art has finally become a victim of the recession hits hard.
After 16 amazing years of bringing to the public emerging film, fashion, music, and fantastic parties – Gen Art’s rule has ended.
This week, I’d like to feature one of my favorite singers and actresses of the past 20 years- Vanessa Paradis. If you are only familair with Ms. Paradis as the wife of Johnny Depp, you are sadly missing out. In France, this woman is a star-and has indeed earned it.
It was great to see the crowd for this film at my local cinema last night. Yes, the reviews for this look like they are all over the map. But let it be said that without this fantastic casting (Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson and Amanda Seyfried-a powerful erotic, sexual trio), the glorious cinematography and the wildly gorgeous sound track, it might be all of what these uninspired critics are writing. The film stays true to the original plot: a doctor thinks her husband is cheating so she hires a young beautiful prostitute named Chloe (a surprisingly excellent Amanda Seyfried) to seduce him, with an outcome that will make your mind spin, in pure Hitchcock form.
It’s creeping up, you can tell by the rainy days and not-so-freezing weather. There’s also that mixed fashion I so love in Spring and the month of April; half the population is braving the still somewhat crisp temperatures and taking off the layers and boots, while the other is still hiding behind the winter parkas that will soon be packed in storage boxes or donated to Goodwill.
These are a couple of suggestions of things that make me go Yes! plus places and events you shouldn’t miss out on during the month of April.
The most important element that should grace the wardrobe of both men and women in April is a new pair of shades, and by new I mean old. Retro is the fresh look for Spring 2010, from round glasses (Gaga goes googoo over them), retro Ray-Bans (color me 80s), and always in fashion – not leaving us anytime soon – aviator or pilot glasses.
Jeremy Scott Mickey Mouse Glasses
This week I would like to feature a long time favorite actor of mine, German actor Daniel Bruhl. Born in Barcelona to Spanish and German parents, Bruhl has been acting for 15 years; he’s been nominated for and received over 12 film acting awards.
You may have seen him in the German films “Goodbye Lenin!”, “Love in Thoughts“, and “The Edukators“. He also was featured (and spoke 3 languages fluently) in France’s Joyeux Noel in 2005. My favorite film of Bruhl’s is the American-French comedy “2 Days in Paris” where he makes a hilarious cameo.
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All screenings in Tishman Auditorium
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Last Sunday evening, I had the absolute pleasure of attending “Conversations with Vincent Lindon”. Hosted by the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema, and UNIFrance festival (Closing night is this Sunday, the 21st).
For those not familiar with Vincent Lindon, born in Boulogne Billancourt, France- he is just extraordinary and well known actor in his native France and has worked consistently for the past 25 years, in over 50 feature films. For this event, the audience was lucky enough to sit down for a private, wonderful talk and watch a Q & A session hosted by the Walter Reade Theater.
Lincoln Center Film Society
In the next two weeks, The Film Society of Lincoln Center is showcasing the BEST of France within the past year. This includes the US premieres of big hits from Cannes Film Festival, 2009, as well as winners from the Cesar Awards (French equivalent to the Academy Awards), and in addition-several young auteurs. Every night has a new event-ranging from the film premiere, to a Q and A, or a showcase of Short Films from France with in-person appearances by Michel Gondy, Vincent Lindon, Yvan Attal, Stéphane Brizé, Julie Gayet, Christophe Honoré, Cédric Kahn, Virginie Ledoyen, Chiara Mastroianni, and François Ozon.
Thursday the 11th was the opening night of Farewell (L’Affaire Farewell) (Dir., Christian Carion) with in-person appearances from France’s top actor/director Guillaume Canet (Tell No One, The BEACH). Tickets are on sale now.
I will bring coverage from the event, as well as the actor Q and A with Vincet Lindon, and next Tuesday and Thursday’s short film event. Stay tuned!
Click Here for more information.
These Actresses are a MUST SEE! … Even if you have never heard of them.
I feel very compelled to write about foreign actresses. Many I admire, some are colleagues, most are around my age. There is so much young female talent circling around France, my adopted home country. Someone had to write about it! So here is a list, and those to look out for in upcoming films, all coming from France-and hopefully to take the US by storm very soon.
Once upon a time, in Nazi occupied France…
is the tag line of Quentin Tarantino’s latest masterpiece, which debuted last year at the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival. The film goes by the name “Inglourious Basterds” and its title addresses the many cast of characters in this film who are out for some good Jewish revenge – the main reoccuring theme of this film.
It is no secret that this film was, by far, my favorite film of 2009 and that I am rooting for it to sweep up every Academy Award it’s nominated for this year, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Best Original Screenplay.
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