The Paris Blog: Paris, France Expat Tips & Resources » Entertainment

A Video Valentine to Paris

I Heart Paris — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:35:49 +0000

American synth-pop duo Class Actress have just released their latest video, for the track “Bienvenue,” set in none other than the city that we heart so much, Paris. Directed by Gregory Faure and Clement Gino, the video was shot at various Paris landmarks, including the Canal St. Martin and Gare du Nord, and a roof terrace with a panoramic view taking in the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur.

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Online Doc on Muslims of France

Secrets of Paris — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:30:05 +0000

AlJazeera World, and English arm of the Al Jazeera news network, has produced a fascinating documentary called Muslims of France. “As issues of immigration and integration raise Europe’s political temperature, this 3-part series examines the history of Muslim immigration to France – a country where debate continues to rage over how to reconcile a long-standing tradition of secularism with religious diversity. Today, there are an estimated 5 million Muslims living in France. A century ago, they were referred to as “colonials.” During the 1960s, they were known as “immigrants.” Today, they are “citizens.” But how have the challenges facing each generation of immigrants changed? The third and final part of the series tells the stories of the young Muslims who grew up in France and entered adulthood at a time of economic crisis, massive unemployment and rampant social problems.” It’s one of the best documentaries in English I’ve ever watched on the topic.

Muslims of France: Part 1 – Colonials

Muslims of France: Part 2 – Immigrants

Muslims of France: Part 3 – Citizens

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It’s Complicated

Laurie — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:55:50 +0000

American Mom in Paris, one of our esteemed contributors, notes

There are no apartment numbers in Paris for reasons I’ll never understand, so you must give visitors turn-by-turn directions from the front door. Sometimes the directions are so convoluted you know you’re never going to make it so you just pick any door and make a new friend!

Anyone who has lived in Paris has been reduced to fumbling with a scrap of paper, or a cell phone, in order to get directions, and code numbers, to make the convoluted trip from the exterior of a building to someone’s flat. (Suffice it to say that the metro ride to the neighborhood was the easy part.) The whole system is so French. What’s weird is that French people don’t ever complain about. One of the greatest French rock bands, Les Rita Mitsouko, wrote the definitive piece of comedy about it. It’s called “Au Fond du Couloir” (“At the End of the Hall”) and the entire song consists of directions to someone’s abode from outside it. Check out the video here and the lyrics here.

Nightlife by Day

Paris Weekends — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:47:46 +0000

This week sees the second edition of the Nuits Capitales festival, an event that was set up last year to counter reports stating that nightlife in Paris was dead.

More than 200 events are promised, the largest of all being the launch party that took place at the 104 Center , in the 19th arrondissement, on Monday evening.

A slightly bizarre feature of the event is the fact that several of the concerts take place during the day, suggesting that the event is less about getting people to stay up all night and more about getting them outside in the first place, to discover new venues and artists.

From the official website:

You should consider Les Nuits Capitales as an invitation to stroll and discover artists, but also – and perhaps primarily – as a journey off the beaten tracks of the city, to discover the many places (music bars, cafés-concerts, concert halls, and clubs) which are, after dark, the cultural heart of Paris.

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Porn to Be Made of DSK Affair?

Marilyn Z Tomlins — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:29:31 +0000

The Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal may be turned into a movie. That is – a porn movie. There is, however, a hitch: The company that plans to make the movie doesn’t have any money. It is appealing for investors. The company is My Porn Production (what else?) and it needs €200,000. That is $276,000 / £172,000. It is apparently asking for donations of €50 ($70 / £43). And all who donate will be mentioned in the credits and will be invited to the premiere.
The former IMF head will be played by Roberto Malone (left), a 55-year-old Italian porn star. He will be called David Sex King, which will also be the title of the movie. DSK’s wife (Anne Sinclair) will be played by a Sandra Romain. The Sofitel maid—Nafi Diallo —will be played by Katia De Lys.
The US prosecutors dropped its sexual assault case against Strauss-Kahn, but he is still to face a US civil suit brought against him by Diallo. He walked here in France when police decided not to investigate a sexual-assault accusation against him made by Tristane Banon. Banon decided not to go after him in a civil case. Still, DSK is embroiled in yet another scandal that involves a prostitute ring that operated in and from the luxury Carlton Hotel in the Northern French city of Lille.
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Reigning Cats and Dogs

American Girls Are — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:38:21 +0000

This past weekend the exhibition halls at Paris’s Parc Floral turned into a pet lover’s play land when the 2011 Animal Expo rolled in with over 300 dogs, 700 cats, fish, birds, farm animals, reptiles and rodents. When I saw metro billboards displaying advertisements for the expo, I knew I had to go. A chance to play with all those dogs and cats–who wouldn’t want to attend?!
Mon mari and I headed to the event early on Saturday afternoon and were really wowed by the sheer number and diversity of animals on display. I knew were going to get more than just puppy play time when on our walk to the event entrance I saw someone leaving the expo carrying a plastic container holding a small, slithery snake! They’d obviously just purchased the new family pet!
After buying our tickets at the door, we decided to check out the smaller exhibition halls first. We saw sheep, rats, mice, iguanas, turtles, frogs, and more snakes than Samuel L. Jackson had on his plane. We couldn’t believe the number of attendees interested in taking home a snake! Some of the breeds were selling for 400 euros a pop!

As much as we enjoyed the movie Ratatouille, we knew a pet rat wasn’t in our future so we left the rodent and reptile party and headed to see the dogs and cats. Within a few steps of walking into the big exhibition hall, I felt like I was on the set of the film Best in Show except, instead of dogs, cats were the stars. The cat owners were clearly on break as many of them sat eating baguettes and talking shop while their felines lounged in luxurious cat carriers. I couldn’t help but imagine all of the cat intrigue going on!

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Nuit Blanche Oct. 1

Paris Weekends — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:39:16 +0000

Good news for this 10th edition of the Nuit Blanche event – the current prediction is for a warm and dry weekend. Although many of the installations are inside, very often you’ll need to queue outside for long periods, so it’s always better if it’s not raining!

The event is divided across four zones, loosely linked to the lines 12 and 14 of the Metro (both of which will therefore be running all night). Below you’ll find more information on these zones (the limits of which are not always very clear) as well as some of the highlights in each.

Hotel de Ville (M° Hotel de Ville/Saint Paul/Rambuteau)
Purple Rain
Artist Pierre Ardouvin has taken inspiration from the Prince song and film to create a surprising installation in the courtyard of the Hôtel d’Albret. Whilst listening to snippets of the song, you can walk around the set under a fine sprinkling of purple water carrying a purple umbrella!

Batignolles – Pigalle (M° Rome/Brochant/La Fourche/Place de Clichy/Blanche)
Earth-Moon-Earth
Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata was sent by morse code from earth, reflected from the surface of the moon, and then received back on earth. Afterwards, Katie Paterson took the result, including notes that had been lost in craters or deep shadows, and retranslated it into a new score. The result will be played on a mechanical piano at the Theatre Ouvert.

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Bow Tie Ennui

Laurie — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:42:48 +0000

Just brilliant! Check out this short film inspired French new wave cinema. What a clever promotion for Launderette, a Los Angeles-based company for bow ties and clothing.

Summer’s Last Big Rock Fest

Le Best of Paris — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:14:15 +0000

This weekend, the crowds should reach over 20,000 with many people camping out for all 3 day of Rock en Seine. Other activities available, if you need a break from the concerts, include an area for kids. This year the event features Jamaica, Cage the Elephant, and Hushpuppies; established names like Keren Ann, Arctic Monkeys, Archive, and pure-gold rockers whose names will always be part of rock history – like the Foo Fighters – will be there too! This year’s programming has an electro trend to it with names like Etienne de Crecy and Death in Vegas. A one-day pass is €49; a three-day pass is €109.

Métro: Boulogne – Pont de Saint-Cloud. Tél: 01 41 12 02 90. Hours: Friday and Saturday: Doors open at 2 PM, showsrun 3 PM- midnight, Sunday: Doors open at 1 PM shows from 2 PM – 11:30

An Odd Request

An American Mom in Paris — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:39:31 +0000

I often get weird emails requesting I mention something-or-other on my blog. I rarely pay them any attention because I’m not interested. I don’t write this blog for money so there’s no need to pimp it out. But this guy…. this Damien…. this guy was different. He had something special. Here are the most important parts of his email.

Damien: I’ve just visited your dazzling blog…
MJ: You have fine taste. I’m listening.

Damien: …and thought I would contact you. My name is Damien Luce. I’m a French pianist & actor. I’m a former student of the Juilliard School and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
MJ: OK, impressive credentials, but where exactly are you going with this…

Damien: In January 2012, I will be performing Cyrano de Bergerac as a clown…
MJ: Bam. Done. Damien, I’m yours. It’s all you all the time from here on out, you clown with wacky awesome ideas.

Go to this website if you want to know more about Damien. He’s trying to drum up funds to produce his project. If we were still going to be here in January 2012, I would give him five million dollars right now just to make sure this performance happens.
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