CSP: Des questions pour Fabrice

• Quel est ton métier/qu’est-ce que tu fais pour ton travail ? (je sais que tu m’as dit et je pense que j’ai compris, mais c’est encore un peu difficile pour moi avec la langue sur le téléphone et je voudrais être sûr)

Je suis régisseur assistant. Mon rôle est de participer à la bonne organisation d’un film. Cela consiste à repérer les lieux éventuels de tournage, rencontrer les élus locaux afin d’avoir les autorisations de tourner et de bloquer les rues si besoin. Lors du tournage nous devons veiller au confort de l’équipe du film (réservations des hôtels, restauration et transport des comédiens …), blocage des rues, accueil et stationnement des camions techniques, installation d’un espace régie où l’équipe du film pourra faire une pause avec café, gâteaux… Enfin, mon travail est de satisfaire les demandes de l’équipe (différents achats selon les besoins). A la fin des journées, nous devons transporter les rushs (prises de vue) au laboratoire. Beaucoup de choses à faire, c’est pourquoi nous travaillons en moyenne 15 heures par jour !

• Tu m’as dit que tu as été un professeur du français (à un lycée ?), mais j’ai oublié, quand est-ce que tu as changé à ton métier en ce moment ? Et, pourquoi tu as choisi ce métier ?

Cela fait 2 ans que je travaille dans le ciné, auparavant j’ai été professeur de Français pendant 5 ans. J’ai choisi ce métier car j’aime le cinéma et surtout l’effervescence (le speed) du tournage. Enfin cela me permet lorsque je ne travaille pas de me consacrer à mes autres passions c’est à dire la musique et l’écriture.

• Est-ce qu’il y a d’autres choses que tu espères faire à l’avenir avec le film ou pour ton métier ? Si oui, quoi et pourquoi ?

J’espère pouvoir grimper les échelons et devenir régisseur général puis directeur de production à long terme. Pourquoi pas écrire aussi des scénarii ?

• Aux États-Unis, le travail dans l’industrie de film est souvent concurrentiel. Typiquement, si on veut régulièrement avoir du travail, on doit habiter dans une grande ville comme L.A. ou New York City. Est-ce que c’est similaire en France ? Est-ce qu’il y a plusieurs occasions pour trouver du travail avec des films à Toulouse ou doit-on souvent aller ailleurs ?

En France, c’est à Paris que la majorité des films se crée, on doit donc se déplacer si on veut travailler. Il arrive cependant de plus en plus que les films se tournent en province pour des raisons de budget.

• En moyenne, combien de fois est-ce que tu travailles ?

Il n’ y a pas vraiment de moyenne. La première année, j’ai fait 2 films, un téléfilm et une pub. Cette année je n’ai fait qu’un film et un téléfilm. Cela varie en fonction des maisons de production. En 2007 cela risque d’être compliqué car il y a les élections présidentielles et les patrons des chaînes publiques risquent de changer et donc certains projets vont tomber à l’eau.

• Quels types des films est-ce que tu préfères et pourquoi ?

Je n’ai pas de genre particulier, mais j’aime beaucoup les films qui traitent de la mafia. La trilogie du Parrain est à mon sens un pur chef d’œuvre !

• Pour toi, un bon film est composé de quoi ?

C’est un film dans lequel les plans sont réfléchis, c’est à dire qu’un travelling, par exemple, est justifié par la situation du personnage dans la scène. Cela n’a l’air de rien mais je me suis aperçu, en travaillant avec différents réalisateurs, que beaucoup ne maîtrisent pas les règles premières du cinéma. En regardant les « vieux films » (Hitchcock par exemple) on prend véritablement des leçons de cinéma et de la manière de filmer.

• Quels réalisateurs et acteurs aimes-tu et pourquoi?

C’est assez varié ! Sans ordre de préférence pour les réalisateurs : Tarantino (pour le mélange des genres et sa culture cinématographique), Coppola (pour la façon de filmer),Hitchcock (pour son sens du suspense, la mise en scène et la manière de filmer), Jacques Tati (pour son perfectionnisme et surtout pour la bande son), Jean pierre Bacri et Agnès Jaoui (pour la sensibilité de leurs scénarii). Il y en a plein d’autres : Podalydès (Comment je me suis disputé ma vie sexuelle==>film assez philosophique), Doillon (Pour un oui pour un non), Robert Guédiguian (Pour son engagement et ses convictions)…
Pour les acteurs /actrices : Marlon Brando, Di Caprio, Al Pacino (tous les grands acteurs américains en fait), Pénélope Cruz (sublime dans les films d’Almodovar et très touchante, sensible…) Denis Podalydès, Mathieu Almaric, Bacri et Agnès Jaoui, jean Louis Trintignan, André Dussolier, Philippe Noiret… J’en oublie beaucoup !

• Est-ce que tu penses que le film/cinéma est important aux français ? pourquoi ou pourquoi pas ?

Je pense que les Français aiment assez le cinéma pour le divertissement qu’il procure mais aussi pour la réflexion qu’il peut parfois susciter.

• Comment penses-tu que l’industrie de cinéma française est différent et semblable à l’industrie de cinéma américaine ?( je me permet de corriger ta question : Quels sont d’après toi les différences et les similitudes entre le cinéma français

Ce sont des cinémas assez différents qui répondent à des cultures différentes. Nous n’avons pas (ou rarement) les gros budgets que les grosses firmes américaines donnent aux films. La manière de traiter et de filmer le même sujet est donc totalement différentes. Cependant les genres ne varient pas énormément (policier, melo drame…). Ce qui m’agace profondément, c’est le comportement américain vis à vis du cinéma français. Ils préfèrent souvent faire un remake que d’importer un film français ou lorsqu’il le font, ils ne peuvent pas s’empêcher de couper des scènes ou encore de changer la musique. Je trouve cela totalement irrespectueux vis à vis du réalisateur.

• À ton avis, quelles sont les forces des films français (ou l’industrie de film français) et quelles sont ses faiblesses ?

Les forces résident dans l’écriture des scenarii et des dialogues. Les faiblesses sont bien entendu le manque de moyen pour tourner les films. Il m’est arrivé de lire des scenarii tout à fait intéressant et une fois le film tourné le résultat était assez médiocre faute de bons acteurs par exemple. En France (contrairement aux Etats Unis ) nous ne savons pas prendre de risque par rapport à un projet, c’est pourquoi nos séries télé sont si médiocres.

• Aux États-Unis, je pense que la plupart du population voient des films pour le divertissement. Est-ce que tu penses que c’est similaire en France ou non ? Pourquoi ?

Oui c’est similaire. Il n’y a qu’à voir le succès de Taxi pour s’en rendre compte. Cependant un large public aime aussi le « cinéma d’idées » et un certain engagement, d’où le succès de films comme Marius et Jeannette de Guédiguian, des films d’Almodovar…

• Où est-ce qu’on trouve de l’argent pour faire un film ? Est-ce que la gouvernement ou des associations aident à payer des films français ? Si oui, quels films et comment est-ce qu’ils décident ?

La majeure partie d’un budget vient d’une association de producteurs : Un producteur principal (par exemple Gaumont) et des producteurs associés (Studio canal, Ajoz films, France 2…). Le gouvernement intervient indirectement par le biais des chaines publiques France 2, France 3. Ensuite Il n’est pas rare que pour boucler un budget, on négocie avec les conseils régionaux, qui donnent de l’argent pour qu’une partie du film se tourne dans leur région, ce qui apporte du travail pour les intermittents locaux et aussi pour les commerçants. Les décisions sont un choix politique des élus locaux, qui choisissent ainsi de mettre en avant leur région.

The individual

22 November 2006

Its so funny that I was talking about the role/importance of the individual in American society as this exact topic came up in class yesterday. I’m beginning to realize, more and more, that this difference in thinking is not only shown through the small differences, like how Americans act in the streets, but runs much deeper. The small differences just a few of the outward hints to complete different cultural inner workings.

An example of this is the American government and its function in society. Perhaps it can be found more strikingly in economics. (Mind you this is all theory as I’m sure we can all guess things play out much differently in reality). The American economy lifts the individual higher than the group saying it’s better to strive to create equal opportunity, so that individually everyone starts from the same place. So if energies are directed towards creating equal CHANCE then one’s success is dependant on the individual and not on the state. Better put, creating equal opportunity means you will have inequality. But the government need not to take care of the inequality because in theory it would be the fault of the individual for not succeeding—the problem lies with the individual and not with the system. If one doesn’t reach their goals or isn’t successful it is because of their inability to work hard enough to get it.

As I said, just theory, as we all know it’s different in reality, but this nonetheless is the mindset of the average American. When I see individualism from this perspective I realize I truly have grown up in America because I like this system. I like trying to create equal opportunity because I’m not so sure I’m a fan of socialism. Actually a large difference, is that America places importance ‘Liberté’ while France places importance on ‘Egalité.’

CSP: Talking about movies

21 November 2006

I wonder why there aren’t more events that people can go to and talk about cinema/a movie they saw. After taking my film class I realized there are so many great meanings, interpretations, insights, and interesting topics brought up in films that, when you can sit down and talk about such things with a room full of people, would have never realized otherwise. In my opinion one of the best things about cinema is using it as a means of artist expression, a medium in which on can convey meaning, work though tough questions, anything really…one can use film for a multitude of things. Yet it’s only through reviews and websites that this discussion seems to happen.

I feel like there are more cinematic events here in France, at least ‘aux salles d’art et essai.’ They always have things like lectures, discussions, directors who come in to talk, events for children, even sometimes debates. There aren’t places that have things like back home…at least not that I know of in my town. I think it’s great, it seems to be one way of meeting with others and having a chance to talk movies as a whole, which is what I would think many directors hope for. Also, I think this speaks to the importance of cinema in France…it seems to be more culturally focused (at least at the independent cinemas) and less focused on entertainment.

Boys in packs and polos

20 November 2006

I like hanging out with non-Americans. I always seem to have a better time with them. It’s not that I don’t like BEING American, because I like my country…but I hate obnoxious Americans and sadly they stick out like a sore thumb in Europe, especially in France. Having distance away from the US has helped me see why Americans get negative stereotypes. It’s probably not the majority, but I’ve found that the few who are leave a big impression on the county to which they travel, and sadly the stereotypes given are way too true. I can immediately spot them out: loud, loud and speaking English loudly, assuming others should be able to speak English, always in HUGE groups (thus becoming even louder), casual clothing (especially with the boys…baggy jeans, Abercrombie polos and baseball hats all of which just shout out “U.S.A.!”), often annoying or inconsiderate of others around them.

Actually the most annoying for me is when I see other Americans who are just so unaware of everything and everyone around them. They seem to only be concerned about THEIR needs, because I guess they’re the only ones who matter. Maybe this is why they always travel in packs, unaware that they are taking up the entire sidewalk that’s not big enough for two people to begin with. Or the reason they feel compelled to shout over one another when talking. Or why they get so trashed and make fools of themselves. Or why the boys in my hostel room in Barcelona didn’t feel compelled to pick up after themselves, leaving the place trashed…because that’s what the janitor is paid for. And why they didn’t feel the need to be considerate of the other people sleeping in the room. It’s the individualistic mindset that I hate about Americans—these are MY rights, these are MY needs, this is what I want. And I think that here in lies a huge difference for me between Americans and my experience here thus far…and why I really don’t want to go home quite yet. The thing is that people do the same thing from other countries. They like to have a good time, to have a few drinks, to stay out late, to go out in groups… American’s aren’t the only ones who can get loud and crazy. But what’s different is the whole mentality behind all of there actions. Americans are so focused on themselves, where I feel this isn’t as prevalent with other cultures. I feel they are less individualistic, and not only are they more conscience of their surroundings, but they are more respectful of them too.

And I am by no means saying this is every American. As a matter of fact I doubt it’s a large percentage. But sadly these Americans make a pretty strong name for all of us. For instance the guy from Cleveland who I met in Barcelona was not like this. He was only 18 but more mature than some 25 and 40 year olds that I’ve met. The difference was that he was traveling alone, which I find is the best way to go. Traveling with more than a few people (if even any) is the best way to experience another culture. Once you get a large group of people all from the same country, its just natural to go into what’s comfortable to you—doing all the things you would do in your own culture. And so you create this little bubble…your own, little world, with a culture familiar to you, which in turn makes it impossible to experience another country and its people.

Too many Americans come here wanting to have an American experience but in a different country, though they don’t often recognize this. But it just doesn’t work that way, you can’t go somewhere and do the exact same things you do at home and think that you’ve “seen” another country. That’s why it bothers me when people say, “Oh the French are so stuck up,” or, “Italians are so snotty.” They’re saying that from inside their bubble…maybe if they stepped out a little they’d see things from the other perspective.

All that to say, I love not hanging out with just Americans. I love not being in a big group. I love meeting new people. I love experiencing all the newness. At times it is more tiring and more difficult and it’s at those times I realize how easy it would be to slip back into my American skin and feel at home. But that’s what I’ve liked so much about being abroad, is encountering those difficult times and being forced to not resort to going back to what’s comfortable. I just wish I had more time.

Automatic escaladers

19 November 2006

I’m not ready to leave. I want to stay. I wasn’t ready to leave Barcelona, nor am I ready to leave France. It’s funny, I often like being ‘foreign.’ Of course if you catch me on the wrong day I’d tell you differently, but if I could have some good friends here and my family I don’t know if I’d ever leave. I love learning another language. I love meeting new people. But what’s more, things just FEEL different…and I love it. I don’t know exactly how to describe it though, because I haven’t made any close French friends, so I feel as if I’m lacking in understanding deeper cultural values, but things are definitely different. So here is a list of some things that I know I’m going to miss about this place:

the glorious patisseries
light switches/escaladers/etc. that function automatically
big lunches, lunches with my family on the weekend
les marchés
buying my fresh fruit at marché du carmes
eating slowly
the language
having an excuse to have random conversations with people
having an excuse to say stupid things
fantastic, cheap, wine
not being carded and being considered mature enough to handle ordering a drink
all the old buildings and beautiful architecture
a place so rich in history
and so many other things I can’t think of right now

The terrible, terrible disease

19 November 2006

Do I have to come home? Really? I don’t want to, please let me stay, I’m not ready to leave. Barcelona was AMAZING! I had such an incredible time. Exploring the Picasso Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, wandering the streets in the Gothic Quarter, enjoying espressos in hidden cafes, strolling down Las Ramblas, admiring the works of Gaudi…what’s not to be enjoyed? Not to mention all the random, awesome people that I hung out with from the hostel.

It’s terrible, the disease is spreading. You think that going abroad will help to satisfy that little voice inside screaming, “Leave! Get out, explore the world…experience new things!” And yet the only thing coming over here has done is turn what was once a little voice into an incredibly loud one, being shouted through a massive sound system into my eardrums. All I want to do is travel, to learn more languages. I don’t want to go home. The Australian guy I met was on his 23rd month of traveling the world. How ridiculously cool is that?! He lived in New York, Philly, and San Diego; was in South America hopping from country to country; was traveling through all the countries in the UK then off to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland; jumping next to Europe, stopping in Italy, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, Spain; the list just continues. Can I please do that with my life? The whole living out of a backpack thing could get difficult after a few months, and I have no idea where the money would come from, but I can’t even tell you just how badly I wanted to not get back on that train. I spent half the ride home toying with the idea of jumping from hostel to hostel…meeting/traveling with random people I’d meet along the way, experiencing so many different cultures, not having a set plan, just letting life take me by the hand. There’s something so wonderful and exciting about being whoever I want to be. It’s so refreshing, not having anyone know me. No preconceived notions of who I am, no category to which one confines me. The interest in getting to know me coming simply from having the common bond of being in country that’s not our own.

Boarders

17 November 2006

On my way to Barcelona baby! Boarders are weird. One second I’m in France and then suddenly a “line” is crossed and I’m in Spain. I made a train transfer at one of the boarder towns. In a matter of 50 meters I went from speaking only French to hearing only Spanish. But not only has the language changed, the atmosphere is completely different. The train is not silent, people are talking above a whisper. The sounds are loud in my ears. I can’t imagine the shock that’s to come when I return back to the States.

French men

14 November 2006

Um, 'Hellogoodbye' basically just rocks my socks off...literally. You gotta dance when you hear their songs (and believe me, I do)...'screw guys, I just wanna dance!' 'Power pop,' hmmm, nice categorizing music genre makers, whoever you are. I miss dancing...in my room, in the car, in the street...it's one of my outlets. I have a lot of those...little things that I do to just help me feel like I can still be fun, that the world can never force me to become a complete grownup. For instance, when I ride my bike here I'll play games, race cars and stuff (extra points for scooters). Not like they know, but you'd be surprised at how intense it can get. Or sometimes, when I see someone looking at me/catch eyes with someone I'll make a scene and wave from my position on the street corner/cafe/wherever I happen to be. I think this one freaks people out. Apparently you're not supposed to do that when you're alone...or maybe just ever. Either way, it gives me a chuckle to watch people freak out and not know what to do. Anyone who really knows me is in full that spontaneous dance parties are definitely on my top 10 favorite things to do in life. I have no idea what others are up there in the top 10, but if I had a top 10 list, spontaneous dance parties would go there.

Writing this has made me realize that I haven't been able to completely let loose in a longtime. Feeling a little confined, honestly...at my host family’s house there’s never that fully "at home" sentiment since it's technically not my house...can never just do whatever I want. Or how now, when I walk in the street, I'm usually rockin' the death stare...otherwise there'd be even more sketchy dudes yelling random comments in my face...not even kidding! they put their face like 2 inches from mine and say who knows what in French. The other day I finally told a guy he could fuck off. I just don't want to put up with it anymore. I have many a time just let it slide, but those days are gone. I don't care if it shouldn't bother me like this or if it’s just a cultural difference. I don't care. Why? Because if these men can do whatever the hell they want, then I too will do the same. This includes yelling things back at them. Whistling, fine. Grabbing my shoulder, pushing it. Yelling things in my face, forget it. Really now, what would I do, boys? What are you accomplishing? Wow, nothing makes me feel more attractive than having you shout at me, thanks! Actually, the more I write about this, I'm realizing this infuriates me...then again, the tension has been building since day one.

As a woman in France, there is no such thing as personal space. French men feel they have the right to violate this personal space whenever they damn well please. No, not the majority of French men, but enough that I feel it speaks to a cultural difference. Yes, cars honk at me in the US. Do I find this charming? No. Does it bother me? Usually not. I miss honking cars. Here, the men are aggressive. Subtlety does not exist. If a man finds a woman attractive, he is not the least bit ashamed to look her straight up and down right in front of her. I've never felt like such a piece of meat. And let me clarify, these are not the gorgeous, finely dressed, European men by which most every girl would love to be approached. I’m talking the 40, 50, 60 year old guys, who classify as fairly undesirable and not the least bit charming. As I mentioned, personal space is nonexistent for women. Touching the shoulder, the hand, the hair, the face…all seems to be fair game, and women seem to not have a chance to voice their opinion…or if they do, i certainly haven’t heard them voice it…so I will.

And rarely, is any of this attention from men, charming. I find it to be rude, obnoxious, and quite frankly, disgusting.. I have never had a guy actually put his hands on me or come up so close to without having given him any indication whatsoever that he even exists. There was the guy who felt the need to grab me by the arms, another felt compelled to shove his cell phone in my face with a few harsh words, again another grabbed me by the shoulder, and used what I'll call 'aggressive smooth talk,' another tonight who came out of nowhere and shoved his nose an inch from mine and said God knows what. I lost it tonight, had he not left sooner I would have punched him, kicked him, i don’t know, inflicted some sort of pain on him, but instead I was left to just turn around and yell at him. And these are just the more specific examples I can think off...I can't even tell you how many times I have had random guys literally just come right up to me and touch me or violate my personal space in some way or another.

It's late, and I'm sleepy

12 November 2006

it’s late and i haven’t gotten more than 5 hours of sleep in the last two nights. but i don’t care because my mind won’t stop running. it’s always when i’m overtired that suddenly my brain feels the need to have all these unsystematic, ‘life-question’ kind of thoughts, and in turn i feel compelled to at least put it on paper…since i can’t sleep anyway.

i am frustrated, frustrated with myself. always seeing in me that which i wish wasn’t there, never satisfied by where i am, always longing for something not already before me. but at the same time i am overwhelmed by excitement. so in love with the fact that i am alive; dreaming constantly of that which is mine to take hold of and run with as i far as i can, a story that is mine to create, the boundaries endless. and it’s a terrible thing, feeling caught in the middle, day to day emotions swinging between the two extremes.

and why is it that the whole world feels compelled to match itself with an identity. or so it appears to me. perhaps not. maybe this is my way of compensating for a lack of self confidence, trying to make myself feel better by saying that i’m not alone in feeling the need to compare. either way it’s true for me, and it’s useless to pretend that i don’t feel the need to be accepted by others. but i look at my generation and i look at the culture that is so prevalent in our world today and i am in awe of what i see and unsure of whether i should be completely terrified. i feel like the goal is to portray an image that one’s life is desirable, yet no one is taking time to make real relationships—all is just a temporary covering to say that for the time being things look great. so who cares if my life is falling apart, as long as my webpage looks great and everyone thinks things are wonderful, that’s all that really matters, right? that’s why fashion exists, doesn’t it. and why things like myspace only continue to expand. everyone looking for an identity to shout out to the world that they fit in somewhere, that they aren’t alone.

and this itself is often a root of my frustration. for one, i so wish to feel significant in this world. but this is not what bothers me, what i hate is that i measure my worth by standards that don’t matter and am constantly comparing to those around me whether i try to or not. i’ve always been told never to compare. and yet we live in a world of paradoxes, don’t we, because i see it done everyday. so many great business ideas are based on just this: finding what hasn’t been done or what someone does not so well and then capitalizing on this asset, defining your business off of what others are lacking. and, how does one measure the success of his business? ah yes, by comparing itself to others in similar work. thank you ‘news and world report,’ ‘forbes,’ ‘entreprenuer’ you’re

but i’m tired of playing that game. i’m sick of comparing, so tired of feeling like who i am is in need of constant improvement. i think it is true, there will always be things i can do better, but my life doesn’t need to be focused around that. i want to learn how to appreciate the things that i hate about myself simply because it makes me, me. i hear myself write this and feel like i’m still in middle school, just now learning how to be comfortable being myself. did i miss the train, forget to jump on the bandwagon? ha, funny. but, here’s what i’m figuring out…who i am is constantly changing, and i don’t just figure myself out/“find myself” once. it’s a continual process that changes with each trial, challenge, error, victory, triumph, and mountain top that i cross because those are the things that push me, shape me and make me who I am.

so yes, i want to feel significant in this world, but i don’t want to continually seek confirmation in others because i’m not sure i’ll ever be good enough or if who i am will ever be what the world is looking for. why am i of worth? why am i valued? because i am the only me. there is no one like me and there never will be and that is pretty awesome. yes, i do in fact love dancing like a freak to rock music…any groovy tune for that matter. i like getting dressed up just because i want to wear a pretty dress. i adore the mountains, but i really hate being cold. i can’t image the world without oceans and relaxing days at the beach. when i listen to a good song i’ll start making movies in my head: lighting, camera angles, mis en scene and all. i write ideas for commercials and short films on random scraps of paper but have yet to do anything about it. yes, i will probably always be bad at making decisions (sorry Regis, i will never have a final answer for you). yup, i can’t help but look at things and ask myself why it’s not done differently or think it could be done better. yes, you’re right, i do over analyze. yup, right again, i care too much about details. no, i don’t think my standards are too high and i will not lower them to make you feel better. yes, i write way too much and if you’ve gotten all the way to the end of this long rambling piece of nonsense give yourself a pat on the back.

Clinton

12 November 2006

Remember Clinton. Right, that was a dumb question, who doesn’t remember Clinton. During his ‘scandalous presidential affair’ (ha. no pun intended), I lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Yup the conservative, Christian capital of the nation. If I remember correctly, many Christians in the town had a very big problem with the whole Monica Lewinsky ordeal. Why? Because by their standards, the actions committed by the two were morally wrong. Everyone was asking how could it be that our county’s leader was having an affair…what’s more lie about it on national television…and then still be called our president? Oh, that’s horrific! Absolutely ridiculous! What kind of example is he setting for our children!? What does this say about the quality of his leadership!? At least this was my perception of the attitude of several Christians in the city and even at my church.

Let’s fast forward a few years to the present. At this same church there was a similar event which passed. This time with the pastor himself. Not only was he called out for buying meth (whether he used it or not is still unknown), but also for having some kind of ‘sexual relation’, over a three year period, with a homosexual male prostitute. What’s more, he initially denied these claims and even ever knowing the man. The church, the city, the nation for that matter, was shocked by this news. Now here’s what confuses me. Everyone at the church, though deeply hurt by what happened, is in full support of the pastor and his family…realizing that even the strongest of leaders aren’t exempt from falling, and from what I can gather, from the computer in my little room in France across the globe, is that most feel that this weakens the legitimacy of his teachings or his leadership skills. And most importantly, everyone is ‘praying hard’ for the pastor and his family.

Now I do not bring this up to point fingers, nor to condemn, nor to say that Christians are hypocritical because in all truthfulness I hate hearing such comments. Those things are all overused, especially with religious topics. I merely bring this up because I find it intriguing and I have questions. Here are a few: Why is it that both were considered wrong, at least by Christian standards, but Clinton’s case was looked upon very negatively and the pastor’s, positively. Positive in the sense that the church says it’s a chance to pull through, to be strong in faith, to trust in God, etc. I don’t ever recall hearing such statements by Christians during the time of Clinton’s ‘scandal.’ Why did Clinton’s leadership credibility plummet yet not that of the Pastor’s (at least in the eyes of the church body)? And do you think the moral standards of a pastor should be higher than those of a president? Or should both be weighed by the same standards? Which makes me ask who creates those standards? If it’s God’s standard then who decides how we as humans measure up to them if we are all ‘sinful beings?’

Just some points to consider. I think maybe we all need to be a little more careful with what we say and the way we perceive others. And to keep in mind that any man, whether he be a leader, president, or pastor, regardless of social status, authority, class, or religion, is not exempt from taking a big fall. And that can mean whatever you want it to mean.

09 November 2006

I feel like I’m not learning about the deeper roots of French culture because I rarely talk with anyone my age, let alone about profound or complex topics. Sure, I can point out the little things like everyone drinks coffee and has bread with every meal, but that’s old news. Actually, more than anything else, being here has given me a chance to see American culture and my own beliefs/cultural values from a distance. Every time I’m asked about life in America I find myself suddenly unsure why things are the way they are…there doesn’t seem to be a logical explanation. What’s more, I’ve just never been asked to share my opinion on a lot of their questions, hence, never have had to question my most basic ways of life. ‘Yeah,’ I’ll often think to myself, ‘that IS a good question…I don’t know why things are that way!’ And, I realize that one’s culture can not be summed up into a few sentences for it’s complex and not easily definable.

The hardest part is that many people have a skewed interpretation of American culture and I try to tell them that things aren’t that way, but then I don’t know how to explain how things really are. I begin to question my own responses. I doubt whether I truly do know what I’m talking about…because I am after all, just going off of my own opinions and observations. I’ve been learning over the last few years that there are many, many, many different kinds of people in this world, all of whom have different ways of seeing life. So who’s to say that what I see as ‘American’ culture is what another would define as ‘American’ culture.

06 November 2006

I’m in my favorite café again. ‘Comptiers des Carmes,’ it’s called. It radiates all that is ‘traditional French café,’ the kind of place you come to on a rainy day in a long wool jacket, scarf pulled close to the face, cigarette in hand. A picturesque hole in the wall café; brick walls, adorned with pictures of the locals, funky lights suspended above the bar, tiny, wooden tables and chairs filling the small space, the air carrying a mélange of coffee and smoke. There’s always a steady flow of people, anywhere from the age of 13 to 70, most with a friend or two, who will sit and chat over a small espresso and cigarette. Sometimes people will bring their lunches, as has become my tradition. Locals stroll in, greeting the owner and/or person behind the bar with the oh-so-French faire bisous. Though my interactions have consisted of nothing more than a small hello and drink order, they recognize my face and know that I’ll most likely ‘prends un thé avec un peu de lait.’

Today the owner is eating his lunch at the bar. His two dogs, who moments before were lounging around their palace (a.k.a. the café), are now waiting attentively at his feet. They are unsatisfied with today’s selection, they don’t even touch the food handed to them. The owner leaves, shortly returning with two steaming bones in hand, the dark meat practically falling off them. Good choice I guess, the two pups now happily chow down right there on the floor of the café.

This is not unusual as the French really aren’t too concerned with germs in the same way us Americans are. Sanity rules really just don’t exist in the same way here. Americans truly are over concerned with health details. Apparently we think that everything is going to kill us and so we set up rules that prevent the .001% chance of something actually happening. Like the other day on my way to school, there were workers jack hammering on the same sidewalk on which I was walking. No goggles, no tape or barricades blocking the sidewalk, no warning signs. But none of that really bothered me too much. It was more the fact that they weren’t jack hammering INTO the ground…rather they had chunks of concrete on the sidewalk which they were trying to break apart, so you had bits of concrete flying all over the place. Transport this scene to a New York city sidewalk and I’m pretty sure that company would be sued in under 5 minutes.

So why does this fly in France but not in America? Where along the lines did Americans become so neurotic about sanity? About safety? I’ve been trying to come up with some reasons and honestly I don’t know. I have no idea how it got to this point, but I do know that never in my life would I see a dog eating off the floor of a restaurant in broad daylight in America. Never. That is not if the business cared about saying around for long. Maybe it’s just that the government truly is more involved in the affairs of Americans. Maybe the French do have sanitation rules that say ‘no dogs allowed in restaurant’ but it’s just that nobody follows them and nobody cares and the government doesn’t do anything about it. On the other hand in America we have inspectors coming by all the time to ‘check up’ and be sure that business is being run ‘by the books.’ Hmm, interesting.

CSP: Dans Paris

05 November 2006

I was able to see “Dans Paris” yesterday afternoon at l’Utopia. It’s the third film by Christophe Honore, a French director/writer. The theatre was similar to the one at the Cinematheque…small, cozy. Once again didn’t notice a place to buy food. There was only one preview for a movie that looked awful to me. Definitely a very French film: just sort of about life in general, the ending wasn’t anything monumental, and you were left feeling like their lives would continue; fairly simplistic story, more about character development; I liked it too because it seemed to show the Paris of today (and I guess in a sense, the France of today), an image much different than that which was the Paris years ago…the nostalgic image people have kept of Paris, and have thus attributed to the rest of France.

And it’s funny because the audience is actually very different in France than in the States. Definitely more reserved. I would let out a little chuckle here and there…and I would be the only one. Not many other people would actually laugh out loud or even make any sort of indication that they were finding something amusing, or sad, or anything. I think maybe the French take movie watching much more seriously than Americans. And granted this was at the independent cinema and not at the major cinema, so maybe it’s different there. But I think that films are much less about pure entertainment and more about the work of the director.

Bring me bread!

01 November 2006

I’m “lunching” in a restaurant and over hear a man talking with a Japanese woman who appears to be his date. They’re speaking in English, I think because she doesn’t know French nor he Japanese. She wants bread but the server forgets to bring it out with the meal (as was the case for me too) and she asks the man if he can get the server. He quickly takes care of the problem, signaling to the waiter he’d like bread. Then he turns to his date and says, “See, it’s not like America where you have to whistle and shout to get what you want.” I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh. OK, maybe if you eat at Red Robbins there’s an occasional shout, but normally there is no need. Why? Because the waiter COMES BACK TO THE TABLE. Unlike France where the server brings your food and doesn’t come back for another hour. I don’t think I’ve ever whistled at a waiter, I just wait until they come back to my table, because they check back all the time. If anything, I get annoyed in America because they try to serve me TOO much…not because I have to shout to get bread. Oh Mr. French Dude, if you could only know my thoughts.

CSP: Experience at the Cinémathèque

October 8, 2006

Every year the Cinémathèque hosts Cinespaña, a festival for Spanish cinema. During this festival, along with playing the films in competition, the Cinémathèque brings in directors, actors, etc. to speak and has concerts each night. I was able to attend one of these concerts and then returned later that week to watch some short films playing in the festival. This was actually the first time saw a film there and so there were a few interesting things I observed:

Both nights that I went (for the concert and the film) the Cinémathèque was fairly busy, which was exciting because I think this speaks to the importance of cinema here. There were a variety of individuals, most came with friends and family (I didn’t notice anyone who seemed to be alone) and I didn’t really see any young children—most seemed to be in their teens or older. I was surprised at the mix of ages though, it definitely wasn’t just the artsy-only-into-the-independent-stuff 20-30 year olds that seem dominant crowds at similar events back home. Granted, I haven’t really spent much time at things like this in the States, and I also don’t live in a large city…so I can’t generalize to much. There were also several Spanish speakers there, since it was, after all, a Spanish film festival. Pretty neat that the event drew in people not only from other French cities, but also from other countries.

I showed up a few minutes before the start of the film and had to wait around for about 20 minutes because our theatre was still showing a film…because it didn’t start on time…because we are in France. I then followed a crowd of about 20 others into a small theatre. It was pretty awesome because the room didn’t seat more than 30 and all the rows were elevated high enough to see over the heads of those in the row ahead. It definitely felt like a private screening, which was cool. I think they have a few other small theatres and then one large theatre. And, it was so nice because food isn’t sold at the Cinémathèque (at least not that I know of), so I didn’t have some guy behind me crinkling a bag during the entire film. Nor were any groups of obnoxious or giggling teenagers. I enjoyed my experience overall and I liked most of the short films in the competition…and it was great because there were French subtitles (since the films were in Spanish)…which meant I could understand more. Yay!

I think the fact that they don’t sell food, along with the small theatres, and the absence of previews, speaks to the fact that at the Cinémathèque the goal is to watch films as a work of art. Though it is a social event, and a good way to spend time with friends and family, the main objective here seems to be in creating an environment where films can be watched not only for fun but with an objective eye. The Cinémathèque seems to also allow this to be further explored with the other things it offers, like the cinema library and the guests/speakers they host.

CSP: Impressions of the Cinémathèque

October 5, 2006

The only place I’ve really spent much time at is the Cinémathèque. I have been on a few different occasions: though it probably goes unspoken, a couple times were just to attain some information on the place itself. I spoke with three different individuals and from what I can gather the Cinémathèque seems to be an organization dedicated to bringing the art of cinema to the city of Toulouse, not only by showing films, but actually hosting events centered around the cultural happenings of the city. For instance, during the month of October there was a Jazz festival in Toulouse…

“pour célébrer le 20e anniversaire de Jazz sur son 31, la Cinémathèque de Toulouse consacre toute sa porgrammation d’octobre aux lieux qui accueillent la musique de jazz. Parce que nous ne voulions pas presenter simplement des films sur cette musique et que nous souhaitions accompagner cette édition exceptionnelle du Festival, nous avons choisi d’explorer l’espace dans lequel émerge le jazz: cabarets, caves, dancings, ces lieux sont l’occasion pour le cinéma d’exalter le décore et de magnifier le huis-clos.” (taken from the program I picked up at the Cinémathèque)

In addition to having films playing around the cities cultural events, the Cinémathèque also has a cinema library in which I was able to spend some time. This is somewhat separate from the Cinémathèque as you have to pay a fee to enter. But the have a varitey of resources here which could be a great resource for me, in general, to learn more about film and cinema. They have, « un ensemble d’affiches, photos, ouvrages, revues spécialisées, dossiers de presse, bandes originales de films, dont l’importance et la diversité sont reconnues à un niveau tant national qu’international » (a collection of posters, photographes, books and texts, special reviews, newspaper/journal records, and original film strips, whose importance and diveristy are recognized both nationally and internationally). I don’t know of many resources like this in the States, so I hope to take advantage of it while I’m here.

New vocab word! : à huis-clos—in camera

CSP: Setting, Challenges, Advantages

September 27,2006

Considering that my CSP isn’t in one particular setting, let’s start out with some of the challenges that may arise because of this. It will require more work on my part because there isn’t a weekly event that I can attend; therefore in the days to come I’ll need to be on the look out for different events throughout the city. Obviously the Cinémathèque is a great resource for me (a really unique one at that), so I hope to spend a good amount of time there. They not only show films but they have events related to cinema each month (this itself seems to speak to the way cinema influences culture here). These events will be good for me to attend for observing the cinema culture in Toulouse as well as try to make connections/contacts in the “world of cinema,” if you will…or at least with people who just like movies :)

The other most obvious places to find cinematic events are the theatres in town, particularly ABC and the Utopia since they play a wider selection of films from the independent scene…meaning I’ll have more luck finding films that aren’t just American box office movies dubbed in French.

There is a ciné-club that I heard of at Sabatier. I tried contacting them, but have yet to receive a reply. Also contacted a French website that connects video professionals throughout France, but again, I haven’t heard back. If things unfold anything like my past experiences here in France, I’m going to assume neither will respond, but it’s always worth a try.

My last resource as of now is Michäel. I really hope to speak with him and any connections with whom he might be able to put me in contact. I really am hoping that some good connections come from this because I would really like to have a chance to speak directly with individuals interested in film or who work in the industry. This could really help me gain some good insight on the importance of cinema and its cultural influences on the French.

Though not having a particular setting could be a challenge, I think it really could allow me to have a much broader understanding of all the ways film influence the culture here. Having my information come from a variety of sources may allow for a more accurate representation of the cinema culture in Toulouse/France as opposed to just one club or one weekly event.