Bonnard, the film and more happy artistic times!

parisdiaHappy moments, Movies, Photography8 Comments

Given the current pessimistic atmosphere, I will continue to give you only happy news. The film “Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe” by Martin Provost, will not remain in the history of cinematography but it depicts with beautiful decors the tortuous life of the painter and his difficult companion Marthe. Both Musée d’Orsay and Christie’s organized previews of the film. Some scenes … Read More

“Testament”, another hilarious movie from Québec.

parisdiaMovies3 Comments

I am a fan of Denys Arcand’ hilarious parodies of contemporary life and this time, “Testament” is devoted to destroying wokism which of course is a battle I love. It might be his last film, he says, and so it is another reason to rush and see it. The main character, a 70 year old retired archivist, dressed in a … Read More

Marguerite’s Theorem, what a delightful film!

parisdiaMovies2 Comments

“The world of mathematics -and by implication that of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, or ENS – has rarely been shown in films, and even less so with a mathematician heroine. My meeting with Ariane Mézard, one of the few and greatest French female mathematicians, was decisive.  She radiates an impressive strength contained in a great deal of vulnerability, an obvious … Read More

A Lebanese writer leads the French Academy, tapestries at auction, Irving Penn photographs and more…

parisdiaArt, Auction, History, Movies, Photography3 Comments

When the Perpetual secretary of the French Academy, Hélène Carrère d’Encausse, died on August 5, at 94, the institution which is in charge of writing the dictionary and defending our language, was suddenly abandoned. This amazing woman, born in France, from parents who had  emigrated to France, after the Russian Revolution, became one of the foremost Historians in France: she … Read More

“Coup de Chance” in Paris, in French, by Woody Allen

parisdiaMovies7 Comments

Coup de Chance, “Stroke of Luck” or “Lucky Strike” is Woody Allen’s 50 th film, entirely  in French, shot with French actors in Paris and in the forest of Montmorency. Lou de Laâge, 33,  replaces Léa Seydoux who played in “Midnight in Paris”.  It is like in “Match Point”, the story of a lucky encounter which turns out to become … Read More

A film “The Anatomy of a fall” and paintings by Xavier Valls, there is so much to love

parisdiaArt, Movies1 Comment

I went to see “Anatomy of a Fall” because it had won the Palme d’Or in Cannes last May, and I thought I would dislike it intensely. Its director and screen writer Justine Triet disgraced herself with her political speech attacking the French Government on its retirement law after having received all the financial help that French cinema distributes. Everyone … Read More

Brittany is still a winner, especially in the heat!

parisdiaArchitecture, Art, Flowers and gardens, Happy moments, Movies6 Comments

In the summer, I love to take my little car and drive west with a few friends to visit. This year I went to château de Lassay, in Mayenne, with Hugues de Montalembert whose young cousins still inhabit this mid 15 th century military castle. Aymeri, Cecilia and their three super talented children (two girls are classicists at Ecole Normale … Read More