Housework - I don't think so!

This is my kind of philosophy for housework. Life is too short for housework.

see more Historic LOL

Le Petit Prince Animation

I have found some wonderful resources for studying French since joining Twitter. People everwhere are very generous about creating and sharing resources. 

For a number of years I have been very fortunate accessing a wealth of information on the french.ac.nz provided by the New Zealand French Teachers Association and the French Embassy in New Zealand. More recently I have discovered another very generous French teacher: Sylvia Duckworth, from Toronto, Canada. Whilst the resources are primarily aimed for use in the classroom, many of them are also very useful for independent learners.

This week both Froggieflo (from NZ) and Sylvia kindly shared a YouTube playlist of Le Petit Prince read in French with animations. Like many others I suspect, I studied this beautiful book at school. I am now looking forward to setting aside some time to revisit it in a new and innovative manner.

YouTube playlist (broken down into chapters): Le Petit Prince

Complete video:

Gad Elmaleh: Les Français!

Merci à France in Melbourne pour cette vidéo drôle!

How to Hyperdecant Wine

Sometimes there is not enough time in the day. We are impatient and don't want to wait for things. Tim Ferris of the Four Hour Work Week prescribes in his post  'How to “Age” Your Wine 5 Years in 20 Seconds: Hyperdecanting' four methods for aerating wine: swirling and swishing, decanting, using a Vinturi, and for the time-poor wine connoisseur, using a blender.

I can't vouch for the blender method. You could of course use this method after you have opened your wine with your shoe!

Mais au fait, à quoi sert "en fait" ?

I am fascinated how we use different phrases and words in both English and French to fill out sentences. I recall a few years ago deciding I would sound more French if I used a few catch phrases and words. I am not sure why I decided that I could just magically sound more French (whatever that may mean).

I chose words and phrases that I believed I could reasonably pronounce (hence none with that pesky French 'r' that I will never master). Whenever I could, I would throw in an en fait, tout à fait, absolument, génial or a ça y est.  This of course was all prior to knowing that really all I needed was one single word to sound French. Le mot indispensable en français

I was quite upset when one day a French friend indicated that tout à fait and absolument were the signs of an uneducated person. Oh dear ! Had I chosen the wrong words to build my 'Frenchness'?  Was I just sounding more uneducated?  It was interesting to then read and listen to Pierre Bénard's article 'Mais au fait, à quoi sert "en fait" ?' in his regular 'Faut-il le dire' programme on Canal Académie. Unfortunately the full article and podcast is only available for a limited time to non-paying newsletter subscribers.  So that's it, I am just stalling for more time.

What words or phrases do you use as fillers or to sound more French?

Faire apprendre : vocation, profession, occupation ou passe-temps ? « Didactique professionnelle »

An interesting article from Henri Boudreault (in French) for those who are interested in the role of the teacher in learning: Faire apprendre : vocation, profession, occupation ou passe-temps ? « Didactique professionnelle »

I suggest reading it in conjunction with : 10 fundamentals of learning - Les 10 fondements de l'apprentissage

Mr 73 - available online until 26 February 2012

For those in Australia at least the film 'Mr 73' is available online via SBS on demand until 26 February 2012.  I am unable to confirm if available to view from France and New Zealand.

Film synopsis: The discredited and alcoholic Detective Schneider, a washed-up Marseilles cop, earns a chance at redemption by protecting a woman from the man who killed her parents. Directed by Olivier Marchal and stars Daniel Auteuil, Olivia Bonamy and Catherine Marchal.

You can view the film trailer before deciding if you would like to watch the entire film:

Mr 73 online via SBS on demand: Mr 73

Alliance Française French Film Festival 2012

The line up of 45 films for the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2012 has been announced. The Festival will run from 6 March to 9 April in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.

From Wednesday 1 February 2012 you will be able to advance purchase tickets and find out details of the full programme, screening schedule and special events. I strongly recommend you advance purchase your tickets if you want to be sure of getting to see a particular film or if you don't want to end up sitting in the front row staring up at the screen. I know from experience that many of the sessions in Adelaide sell out.  

Check out the official website, www.affrenchfilmfestival.org, for more information and to register and receive updates on the festival as well as a chance to win prizes. You can also follow the Festival on their Facebook and Twitter page to get the latest updates.

The opening film is 'Declaration of War - La guerre est déclarée'.  

It is based on real-life events experienced by filmmaker Valérie Donzelli and co-star/writer Jérémie Elkaïm.  It tells the powerful story of a young Parisian couple suddenly dragged from their carefree existence by an unexpected twist of fate. watch trailer here

The closing film is the François Truffaut's classic 'The Last Metro - Le dernier métro'.

Paris, 1942. Paris is under Nazi occupation. Catherine Deneuve plays Marion Steiner, who is left to manage a small theatre company, the Montmartre, when her Jewish husband Lucas is forced into exile under the German occupation of Paris. Marion stars in the company's new play, The Disappearance, alongside Bernard Granger (Gérard Depardieu), a womanising but talented actor who is also a member of the Resistance. As Bernard's passion for Marion grows, emotional complications arise between the two and loyalties are compromised due to their respective connections. watch trailer here

Hôtel des Caravelles : les paroles en vidéo

Even if one is not a fan of Julien Clerc this is a good way to practice one's French comprehension.

The Women on the Sixth Floor - Film

A stellar cast delivers the goods in Philippe Le Guay's smash-hit upstairs/downstairs comedy. It's Paris, 1962. The marvellous Fabrice Luchini (Potiche) stars as wealthy stockbroker Jean-Louis Jouvert, who lives a staid bourgeois existence with his perfectly-presented socialite wife (Sandrine Kiberlain). But when the family's maid abandons them, into the residence comes Maria (Natalia Verbeke): young, hardworking, and - quelle horreur - Spanish! Remarkably, it doesn't take long for the building to become enchanted by the new arrival; Maria rallies the friendship of the other servants on the sixth floor (fabulous turns contributed by two of Almodóvar's favourite señoritas, Carmen Maura and Lola Dueñas) and soon, the balance of the household ruptures into wild, cross-cultural chaos… After premiering at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival to a standing ovation, it became a massive hit at the French box office earlier this year - fuelled by enthusiastic word of mouth the film achieved over 2.5 million admissions.

Watch trailer

The film opens at the Palace-Nova on 15 December 2011.  There is however an exclusive preview screening at 6.30pm Thursday 8 December 2011.

Tickets:

• $9 Alliance Français members (who can purchase up to 4 tickets)
• $18 adults

Tickets on sale at the box office in person or online.

Alternatively you can try and win one of 100 double passes: http://www.sbs.com.au/films/movie-news/single/895959/The-Women-on-the-6th-Floor-100-double-passes

So Frenchy, So Chic Live in Adelaide (19 January 2012)

Féfé by Willysmile (CC BY-NC 2.0)

As part of the Adelaide Festival Centre’s new summer music season in January, Sessions, there will be two ‘So Frenchy So Chic Live’ performances at the Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre. Sessions is focused on live music from local, national and international bands in a relaxed club atmosphere.

Asa and Féfé will perform on 19 January 2012. You may have seen these internationally acclaimed performers at WOMADelaide in 2011.

Asa was raised in Lagos but is now a rising star in France.  "...the strident new voice of modern folk...Asa will deliver an up close and personal set fusing contemporary soul, pop, reggae and funk with her trademark husky voice."

"When she gets her jazz groove on in Bimpé and Be My Man, you wish the songs would never end." The Guardian

If like me you don't know Asa, check out her website which has some clips of her recordings.http://www.asa-official.com/

Féfé was born in France to Nigerian parents. He breaks the boundaries of traditional hip-hop, weaving his style of rap through funk, soul, blues and catchy pop. Check out his music at http://www.fefe-lesite.com/

“He has that Michael Franti factor when it comes to manipulating thousands of punters into shaking their booty.” The Australian

For further information on Asa and Féfé appearing in Sessions for So Frenchy So Chic Live visitwww.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/sessions

Venue:

• Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre

When:  

• Asa – 19 January at 6.30pm
• Féfé – 19 January at 9.30pm   

Cost: 

• Either session: Adults $50, Concession $45, Student $45, Greenroom $19.95,Groups (6+) $45                  
• Either session: Season Subscription Adult $37.50, Season Subscription Concession $35
• For both Asa and Féfé: Adult $80, Concession $75

Bookings: 

• BASS on 131 246 or online at www.bass.net.au

French Salon: Lisette chez Maxim

Lisette chez Maxim

Thoroughly enjoyed Cat's performance as Lisette last night at Maxim's bar in Norwood, Adelaide. Her repertoire included the traditional favourites of French cabaret. There was Piaf, Brel etc. Cat delivered the songs in her rich, sultry voice. Her interaction with the audience was lots of fun as we laughed at the difficulties of conjugating French verbs.  It was only a shame that more francophiles were unable to make it.

A number of people have asked me for more information about French Salons in Adelaide.  My understanding, having spoken to one of the organisers, is it has come about from a group of francophiles who would gather together at friends' places to converse in French.  From there it has taken off to be a regular get together at Maxim's on the third Thursday of the month.  Next year the plan is to have a theme for the evening with speakers etc.  A programme will be developed for the year.  With their permission, I will post details of the programme once it has been developed.

Apologies for the poor quality photo!!! It was the best I could manage....

L'Ordre Et La Morale

Today I received an email from a friend in New Caledonia with an open letter regarding the film 'L'Ordre Et La Morale' which has just been released in France and is the cause of controversy in New Caledonia. 

Chers amis , de métropole ou calédoniens,

comme vous le savez peut-être, même si vous n'êtes pas cinéphiles, un film de Mr Kassovitz au titre incompréhensible de " l'Ordre et la Morale " fondé sur les dires et la vision personnelle de Mr Legorjus est sorti, avec une publicité fracassante, concernant ce qu'il est coutume d'appeler " l'Affaire d'Ouvéa " ( 1988 ) .

Malgré un devoir de réserve que j'ai toujours respecté, malgré le secret de l'instruction que j'ai toujours pratiqué au plus haut point et que je pratique encore, malgré toutes les pressions ou menaces ou sanctions que j'ai subies, singulièrement de la part du ministère de la justice, je tiens à m'exprimer brièvement et à m'associer aux critiques portées à ce film-fiction, qui n'est pas un documentaire. Les mensonges, les inventions, sont multiples et patents. J'étais le juge d'instruction des évènements de 1988 en Nouvelle-Calédonie, dont, entre autres, le plus médiatisé, l' "Affaire d'Ouvéa". A ce titre, j'ai rencontré simplement ou interrogé nombre des personnes concernées, parlé avec d'autres, indépendantistes ou non, j'ai suivi pas à pas le déroulement des évènements, j'ai assisté aux autopsies nécessaires, etc ...

Certains des destinataires de mon mail, qui, à l'époque, appartenaient -- ou appartiennent encore - à la hiérarchie militaire de l'armée de terre, de la gendarmerie, de la Royale, ou de la BAN de Tontouta, au commando Hubert, au GIGN, au milieu journalistique, médical, ou au milieu judiciaire, ce, en Nouvelle-Calédonie ou en métropole, ou au milieu politique local, du parti majoritaire ou du FLNKS, seront de mon avis, se reconnaîtront, et quelques uns d'entre eux se souviendront de mes sincères remerciements pour l'aide qu'ils m'ont apportée, dans un temps particulièrement troublé. Quelques uns de mes destinataires n'iront pas non plus voir ce film, tant leurs blessures d'avoir perdu un membre de leur famille sont encore béantes.

Je m'associe bien sûr à la demande du Général Vidal de faire une contre publicité du film, au nom de la lutte envers toute désinformation, notamment alors que l'on parle de forger un destin commun en Calédonie, tout en conseillant à titre personnel la lecture de son livre concernant l'"affaire d'Ouvéa", éclatant d'impartialité et de précisions fondamentales.

Avec mes amitiés

         Joëlle Rondreux de Collors

Cliquer sur le lien Le Figaro :  http://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/2011/11/12/03002-20111112ARTFIG00287-ouvea-les-mensonges-de-kassovitz.php

Beaujolais Nouveau 2011 dégustation - Alliance française d'Adelaïde

The Alliance française d'Adelaïde is hosting it's annual Beaujolais Nouveau dégustation.

Every year the first taste of the new wine harvest is eagerly anticipated in France and around the world. Parties are held, bottles are uncorked and the first sips of Beaujolais Nouveau are savoured. But since this is a young wine, let's not get too serious and let's have some fun. Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few days then officially released for sale on the third Thursday of November. The grapes must come from the Beaujolais AOC. By law, all grapes in the region must be harvested by hand. The evening will include a presentation on Beaujolais Nouveau.

• Where: Alliance française d'Adelaïde, 319 Young St, WAYVILLE SA
• When: 8pm, Thursday 17 November 2011
• Cost: Free entry, but beverages (incl. Beaujolais) and cheeses will be available for purchase
• RSVP: ESSENTIAL!! Places are limited - email to adelaide@af.org.au