Book, Music & Movie Recommendations
À Lire - Must Reads:
Paris Tales is a collection of intriguing stories of people and life in the many quartiers of Paris. Written by well-known writers including Colette, Maupassant and Echenoz, these stories capture the atmosphere of life in Paris as experienced by the many characters found in each story. A great read even if you've never been to Paris, but for those who have, you will love these stories about your favorite Paris neighborhoods.
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This series of books has the most beautiful photos imaginable. Gazing at the picturesque scenes of the French villages represented in these books will bring back fond memories for those who have experienced them first-hand. For others, the photos will certainly be an incentive to visit France for the first time!
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"Bottle Shock" - based on the book "Judgment of Paris" shown above.
In 2008, a new movie titled "Bottle Shock" will be released. Recently previewed at Sundance, it is based on the historic Paris wine tastings which were chronicled by George Taber in his book "Judgment of Paris." (See below.) The book gives a very interesting account of the struggles California winemakers encountered before being accepted as producers of world class wines. The movie has several major stars including Alan Rickman, Dennis Farina, and Bill Pullman.
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Books, CDs and DVDs
Here are our recommendations whether you're planning your first visit to France or simply want to read, see or hear more about the French, their culture and language, the beautiful countryside, or the superb cuisine de France.
Musique Française
There are several ways to enjoy French music and at the same time improve your knowledge of French language and culture. Of course you can purchase CDs of various French artists, but another great way to listen to an unlimited variety of French artists is to log on to websites which stream French music. You can listen while you're checking your emails or just working in your office! Check out this site and let us know if you find other sites that you like:
Other sites to check out if you love French songs are: www.paroles.net and www.paroles-de-chansons.com. Here you'll find the lyrics of many of your favorite French songs so you can not only sing along, but can actually understand what you're singing!
songs.htm which has the feature "Listen to this song."
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La Vie en Rose
The Extraordinary Life
of Edith Piaf
Now on DVD
"Quand il me prend dans ses bras, il me parle tout bas, je vois la vie en rose".
The absolutely magnificent performance of Marion Cotillard, age 32, is well deserving of the Academy Award and Golden Globe award she recently won for Best Actress. Stephen Holden of the New York Times: "The most astonishing immersion of one performer into the body and soul of another ever encountered in a film."
Marion Cotillard is joined by Gérard Depardieu in bringing his tragic story to life.
The songs and voice of Edith Piaf, one of the world's most renowned entertainers, are as much a symbol of France as Chanel and the Eiffel Tower. Piaf was born into poverty in 1915, abandoned by her mother, then her father, and later raised in her Grandmother's brothel by one of the prostitutes who also was taken away from her at a very young age. She began her career as a French chanteuse on the streets of Paris in order to put a few centimes in her pocket. One day she is discovered by Louis Leplée (Depardieu) and so began her rise to become one of the most iconic voices the world has known.
Director Olivier Dahan, skillfully creates a collage of the various stages of Piaf's life, going from one stage to another and back again, all the while tying the tragic events of her life and their effect on Piaf into a very compelling final product.
This poignant story helps give so much meaning to those who loved her songs, but didn't know the entire story behind this remarkable talent, who, despite unending loss of love and grief, struggled on to become the "soul of Paris."
After watching this movie, you might want to check out this actual footage of Piaf singing:
"La Vie en Rose"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-sUzR71wpQ&feature=related