Meet Oskar Schell, an inventor, Francophile, tambourine player, Shakespearean actor, jeweler, pacifist, correspondent with Stephen Hawking and Ringo Starr. He is nine years old.
via Collider.com
Hanks and Bullock in “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”
International ads perpetuating French stereotypes
Fabulous selection of ads from all over the world (lots of videos, including the one above with Brad Pitt for Japan’s Softbank). Hilarious.
Behind the scenes on the set of “A bout de souffle”
Great gallery of behind-the-scenes photos taken during shooting of Godard’s classic at the Telegraph. (Pay no attention to the fact that they spelled souffle…soufflé! Gotta keep an eye on those spellcheckers…)
Peynet’s Lovers
Les amoureux de Peynet, an iconic pair of French lovers drawn by illustrator Raymond Peynet, have appeared on porcelain and clothes and been made into dolls, statues (including one in Hiroshima), and more. There are four museums dedicated to Peynet’s lovers, two of which are in Japan, where they are particularly popular. More on the artist at Peynet.net and Peynet.com. Check out Peynet Collections at the Francophilia Amazon Store.
Molière’s post-mortem adventures
Did you know Molière’s coffin was dragged all over Paris for years before he finally ended up where he is today? Absolutely fascinating article on pre- and post-Revolution attitudes towards Molière behind this odd turn of events in HUMANITIES Magazine. If you like the article, you might want to buy Molière, the French Revolution and the Theatrical Afterlife at the Francophilia Amazon Store.
“Ketchup on the moustache of Astérix”
The French web is in a tizzy with the unveiling of a McDonald’s ad campaign featuring their national hero, the indomitable Gaul, Astérix and his pals partying in a McDo (scandale !). “Finalement, après avoir résisté aux Romains, les Américains auraient-ils eu le scalp de l’invincible petit Gaulois ?”
via LeFigaro.com
Romain Duris in “L’Arnacoeur”
Romain Duris is one of our favorite French actors. Charismatic, intelligent, versatile, irresistible. Here is the trailer for L’Arnacoeur, his new film co-starring Vanessa Paradis. Look for it in US theaters right about now. We recommend The Spanish Apartment, Molière, Paris, and The Beat That My Heart Skipped to get some idea of his impressive range. You can buy them all at the Francophilia Amazon Store!
Lausanne home to world’s first “art brut” museum
A little-known treasure in Lausanne, Switzerland: the Collection de l’Art Brut.
This quite unique collection is devoted to what’s been called “outsider art”, the creative output of ordinary people with no artistic training at all – often loners, psychotics or the criminally insane – who for some reason suddenly began making their own art, on many occasions in middle or old age.
Source: isyours.com
Chloe Pink author takes Francophilia on the road
Chloe Pink™ takes Francophilia with her everywhere she goes:
…..with Pierre (her VW Bug)
…..on her sketchbook
…..to her favorite cafe and all around town
Buy the new Chloe Pink Doodle & Dream Coloring Book on Amazon. And get some Francophilia stuff of your own!
Wild French circus posters from 19th, early 20th century
Great collection on Flickr. Seen at io9.com.
Find Paris wi-fi cafés with WorkSnug
Find over 800 cafés, libraries and other work/surf-friendly spots with wi-fi in Paris with WorkSnug, a gorgeous –and free– augmented reality app for iPhone 3G+ and iPod touch. (Trust me, if you’re here with an iPhone from the US, you’ll want wi-fi!) The one app works in all WorkSnug cities (there are not different country versions), so you can get it before you come.
Willy Ronis, first French photographer to work for “Life”
A photographer worth knowing in case you’ve never heard of him. Poster from the retrospective at La Monnaie de Paris through August 22, 2010. Willy Ronis on Wikipedia.
“Babar” to be a film
We’re with The New Yorker: It’s a touchy subject, since it’s an allegory about French colonization. Plus we agree that it’s horribly misguided to do it in a combo of live action and computer animation! Let’s hope they rethink that…