#amélie from montmartre

[earlycuntsets]

07/2005 rock sound

english translation:

"mikey's way" before hitting the road again, heading for Germany, the band members take a lunch break… The waiter asks them if they prefer sandwich bread or a "French baguette"? The Way brothers choose French bread. Once served, Mikey Way's face falls in front of his roast beef sandwich. "It's raw!", the bassist wonders. (the only time of the day when he spoke…) "That's normal, it's eaten like that!", his brother replies. "Oh? Okay…"

"It was unmanageable on the day of the concert. It's too much stuff in one day. As a result, we rarely have time to enjoy the places where we stop for more than a day." Gerard then joins the rest of the group in front of the Carrousel du Sacré-Cœur. Together, the five of them happily indulge in a photo shoot organized for an English teen magazine. The photographer is keen to take advantage of the very 'Frenchie' setting of the Montmartre district. Under the astonished gaze of a few tourists who wonder what is going on, the group takes their place in front of the merry-go-round. "This is the first time we've been asked to smile for a photo shoot!" laughs Ray Toro, guitar. A fan of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's film, the group then recognizes a few places seen in the film Amélie Poulain. The tour continues, with a few comments on French architecture and culture. As soon as they arrive at the first comic book store, everyone forgets their fatigue and doesn't waste a second rushing to buy the new Star Wars figurines and other comics.

A customer stares at Frank before asking him if he's in a band: "Do you play in The Cure?" Frank bursts into laughter and answers in the negative before going to tell the others his little story. After a few purchases (Misfits figurines, etc.), it's already time to get back on the tour bus. "We write a lot on our tour bus. We've practically converted the 'lounge area' into a studio! We've already written a few songs. We might even go back into the studio after the tour. It's a bit different, but it's a logical evolution since Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge," says Gerard Way, who recently did some backing vocals for Every Time I Die's new album. But the band's current news is on the road. "We're thinking of doing another tour in the United States in September," Frank continues. "For the moment, nothing is certain, but it could well be that we open for a big band with whom we've already played…" Green Day? "We can't say anything," smiles Gerard. In any case, playing with Green Day has taught us a lot. Just by watching them. They can fill stadiums and keep a constant communication with the audience. Billie Joe is an incredible frontman. We are much better on stage today, partly thanks to opportunities like these. It's amazing to go from 300 people to 10 or 20 times more. A real challenge for us and also the best learning for a young band. […] Otherwise, we really want to do splits with other bands. We were talking about a split 45 with Alkaline Trio, it will be done according to our schedules." Time is on your side!"

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this Week #116 (Year 3/Week 12):

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The Maid by Chilean director Sebastián Silva is my favorite film of the week! A perfectly simple drama about the life of a live-in housekeeper. After 23 years of humble domestic service, aging, still-virgin Raquel is loyal to the large family that employs her, and becomes protective of her job, when they hire a second maid to help her. 10/10

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Alejandro Jodorowsky’s latest movie, Endless Poetry, is the second part and sequel of his surreal auto-biography, after ‘Dance of Reality’. Visually-rich, excessively avant-garde and inventive as always. 5/10.

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Pacifiction, my first Polynesian tour de force (actually it’s an international co-production, directed by Catalan provocateur Albert Serra). Picked by ‘Cahiers du Cinéma’ as the Best film for 2022. A moody and very slow-burn, it’s supposedly a political thriller that leisurely rolls on, aimlessly and with great intensity. The story of the French High Commissioner in Tahiti is about colonialism, white privilege and the entitled ruling class, a Graham Greene for the modern age.

Mysterious and intriguing, it reminded me of ‘The Conversation’, my all-time favorite Coppola’s, even though they had nothing in common on the surface. For nearly 3 hours of incredibly-building atmosphere it felt like a unique, transforming film experience. But then - it suddenly cut off and ended! Without any resolution, or conclusion, or even just an acknowledgement. It’s as if the last 10 pages of the script were ripped out before the end-titles. Very disappointing!

It also featured a traditional dancer, Shannah, in one of the best transgender roles I’ve ever seen.

I was planning on following this up with another of Serra’s controversial films, the pornographic ‘Liberté’ (about an orgy in the forest), but Pacifiction’s ending bummed me out so much, so I’ll keep that for another time. So only 5/10.

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The Kid with a Bike, my second by the Belgian Dardenne brothers (after ‘The elephant and the butterfly’). A sad story of a difficult childhood: A 12-year-old boy had been abandoned by his father, and eventually finds some solace with a kind hairdresser. 9/10.

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5 more from Jean-Pierre Jeunet:

🍿 “Did no one ever wonder how a young waitress afforded such sophisticated decoration for a flat in Montmartre, one of Paris’s most expensive districts?”

Jeunet has just re-cut and released his 2001 comedy‘ The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain’ as a short film which reveals that Amélie was actually a KGB spy.     

🍿 A Very Long Engagement, a toned-down World War 1 fairy tale romance starring Audrey Tautou (and Jodie Foster). Bleak and surrealistic, it reminded me of Peter Jackson’s ‘They shall not grow old’. 9/10.

🍿 As a life-long (53.5 years) vegetarian, I never mustered the courage to watch his uncomfortably meat-heavy, post-apocalyptic Delicatessen, until now. A grotesque, black comedy nightmare, starring the rubber-face Dominique Pinon (who played in all his movies the last 35 years), Modern day Hieronymus Bosch canvas, wilder than Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, as surrealist as Fellini at his ‘The Clowns’ best.

I was planning on seeing also his Delicatessen-related ‘The city of lost children’, but to be honest, his overindulgent style was too much in large dozes, so I’ll keep it for another week.

🍿 Two snails go away, a quirky animated short based on a poem by Jacques Prévert, each line read by another of his many life-long collaborators.

🍿 My favorite of his is still Nonsense (Foutaises - “Things I Like, Things I Hate”) from 1989, one of the greatest shorts in Cinema IMO. [Copy is in French with no English subtitles].

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I was happy to finally find a free copy of Truffaut’s romantic The Last Metro, which I haven’t seen in over 40 years, and which I always recalled as one of his best love triangles. Well, it’s top-tier maybe, but not ‘best’. Catherine Deneuve is at her most magnificence, and the score by Georges Delerue is beautiful too. Very close to ‘Day for night’ thematically, it was the 2nd part of a planned 'Entertainment world’ trilogy. (Photo Above).

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2 films about reading aloud:

🍿 Las Analfabetas, another wonderful story, my 3rd Chilean movie of the week. This one about an illiterate middle-aged woman who reluctantly learns to read, thanks to the insistence of a young teacher. 8/10.

🍿 The reader, my first (disappointing) film with French actress Miou-Miou. A literary male-gaze, Chinese-box parable about a woman who places an ad in the paper, offering an in-home reading-aloud service. As she comes into their homes, the stories that she reads to them become part of her story, moving in and out of their lives. 2/10.

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The Cabin is a quiet, meditative little movie about identity, that has no reviews on line! Like Antonioni’s David Locke (in ’The Passanger’), a restless man from Luxembourg is trying to escape his life, and it’s not clear why. But instead of the Sahara desert, he drops off an Arctic cruise at the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, wishing to go further, to the edge of the world. There’s a cabin out in the wilderness he dreams about. But also a 7-year old daughter that he left behind, without any explanations. Enigmatic mystery that does not offer closure. 7/10.

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Fucking Åmål, what it is like to be a teenager in a small Swedish town in the 1990s. A sweet budding romance between two awkward girls who feel they don’t belong.

"Varför måste vi bo i fucking jävla kuk-Åmål?" (Translation: “Why the hell do we have to live in fucking Åmål?”

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The Gunfighter, mustachioed Gregory Peck as the notorious Jimmy Ringo, the "fastest gun in the West". Another tight, well-told western with 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Bonus: The gunfighter (2014), with Nick Offerman’s mellifluous voice breaking the Forth Wall - always good for a fun re-watch.

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Timbuktu, my first award-winning masterpiece from Mauritania, by Malian film director Abderrahmane Sissako. Another harrowing story of terror in the barren Sahara desert. Senseless religious laws imposed by a patriarchal and fanatic group on simple villagers. A heart-breaking tragedy - 10/10.

Here’s the scene of the forbidden football match played with an imaginary ball.

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After the difficult, depressing ‘Timbuktu’, I had to palate-cleanse into something more hopeful, so what’s better than Chaplin’s first full-feature, the uber-sentimental The Kid (whose name was - surprise! -’John’!). A perennial favorite, a perfect balance between comedy and drama, painfully autobiographical.

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2 films about Catholic priests "molesting” children:

🍿 Deliver Us from Evil, a sad 2006 Oscar nominated documentary about one California priest who raped dozens of California kids, only to be protected by the monstrous Catholic church, as per their habit for thousands of years. A tedious narrative, well-known for decades, it follows one priest, one bishop and a couple of little girls. It gives the priest and his esteemed defenders a respectable deference, because - ‘religion’. It lets them uses passive-tense euphemisms in every sentence, even when acknowledging guilt: “The wrongs that may have happened”, “to whom I may have offended”, “I was not made aware at that particular time”.... - Utterly disgusting and hard to watch.

🍿 So I “had to” go back and watch Tom McCarthy’s Spotlight again which I saw many times, including last year. It’s a perfect ‘All the cardinal’s men’ story in every way, from every single cast member, to the Howard Shore score, to the way the story unfolds, and the investigation develops, to the emotional balance of each scene. NOT anti-Catholic, for sure. 10/10.

“If kids got raped by clowns as often as they get raped by priests, it would be against the law to take your kids to the circus”.

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Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed, a sweet Spanish period piece about a 40-something, bald and bespectacled teacher who’s a die-hard Beatles-fan, and who drives to Almeria, hoping to meet John Lennon where they are shooting his 1966 ‘How I won the war’.

I couldn’t sit through Hamesh Patel’s ‘Yesterday’, and I haven’t seen any of the other fictionalized/Inspired-by Beatles Fan Movies, but this had just the right balance of gentleness and melancholy. 7/10.

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2 more about L.A.:

🍿 How Movies Design Los Angeles (And Which One Got it Right), by Colombian José María Luna is a video essay of the kind I usually dislike, but it grew on me. Inspired by ‘Los Angeles Plays Itself‘ and peppered with quotes from Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs, it postulated that movies have always shown the past as LA's golden years. But it ends by finding in Spike Jonze’s ‘Her’ a positive vision of the city - Nostalgia of the future. 7/10.

It got me itching to re-watch many films I saw ('La la land’, A marriage story’, ‘Singing in the rain’, ‘L.A. Confidential’) and others I haven’t yet (’Boyz in the hood’, 'Babylon’).

🍿 And because of the clips with limo-driver Paul Giamatti, I tried on the sentimental Saving Mr. Banks, not usually my thing. The Disney entertainment machine working full-time to create the myth of Uncle Walt the deity, but the fictional daughter-father bonds worked on me. So 5/10.

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Another random pick from the list of films with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Dog Who Wouldn't Be Quiet is a recent, strange film from Argentina. It tells of a random series of weird events in the life of some guy, from having his neighbors complain about his dog, to a meteor that poison the air above 4 feet. The guy soldiered on stoically through obstacles and hardships, but I didn’t get the point of the movie - 3/10.

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Re-watch: The Tin Drum, the German adaptation of Günter Grass’s masterpiece. The Danzig trilogy won him the Nobel for literature, and this film won the Oscar in 1980. German history of the 20th century told in Magical Realistic style. I liked the book better.

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'Chunky’, a terrific compilation of great dance moves from vintage movies, by awesome editor YouTuber ‘Trampsta’. More editing goodness by him on his channel.

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Whats Buzzin Buzzard, a 1943 Tex Avery MGM cartoon about two turkey vultures, that deals with the then current food shortage.

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2 films I couldn’t finish:

🍿 After watching the guy from ‘Great Art Explained’ channel talks about Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, I thought I’ll try Ferris Bueller's Day Off. But I didn’t get to the scene where they visit the Art Institute in Chicago and see the artwork, as I had to bail after 20 minutes, I guess I’m just too old.

🍿 I also did try on a whim the new lightweight Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game, but it seemed like an irritating first film student effort where the only appeal is the main character’s GINORMOUS mustache. Not among the worst films I’ve ever seen, but I had to turn it off after 11 minutes.

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Throw-back to the "Art project”: 

Disney Adora.

Adora as The kid.

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(My complete movie list is here)

[shirleymelgar]

©️, 2023, Shirley Melgar.

Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica. My friends and I visited Montmartre, a tourist area with insanely beautiful views and plenty of steps. When we first got there, we had to go up the famously known, never-ending Montmartre metro station steps, with 176 spiraled steps in total. I was unaware of the amount of steps I was going to go through in just one day but it was worth the experience.

Our first stop was the viral photo booth, Fotoautomat. The wait was not long and the pictures were perfect. Nearby to the photo booth was the Café des Deux Moulins from the movie Amélie, which is a nostalgic and memorable movie for me and I had a great time visiting a spot where some scenes were filmed.

Lastly, after many steps, we got to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The view was wonderful and we got to look at the sunset as we enjoyed sweet crepes. The fences that surrounded the Basilica had tons and tons of locks with engraved initials representing love between two people. The love locks transmitted love all over Montmartre, making it one of the most romantic places I have ever visited.

[rakiyaworldcinema]

Amelie

"Amélie" revolves around the life of a young woman, Amélie Poulain, played exquisitely by Audrey Tautou. Set in Paris, the film details the power of small acts of kindness, the beauty found in the ordinary, and the pursuit of personal happiness. The story begins with an introduction to Amélie's childhood, marked by a sheltered upbringing due to her overprotective parents. Following a series of quirky incidents, Amélie moves to Montmartre and starts working as a waitress at the Café des 2 Moulins. Her isolated yet imaginative world takes a turn when she discovers a small tin box hidden in her apartment. Determined to reunite it with its owner and witness the joy it brings, she embarks on a journey of anonymous acts of goodwill, touching the lives of those around her. Amélie orchestrates various mischievous but well-intentioned schemes to impact the lives of strangers, ranging from reuniting a lost treasure with its owner to anonymously improving the lives of her neighbors. Amidst these endeavors, Amélie encounters Nino Quincampoix who shares her passion for small pleasures in life. A budding romance adds a layer of sweet innocence and hopefulness to the narrative. Jeunet's direction in "Amélie" is visually characterized by vibrant colors, and playful cinematography, mirroring Amélie's eccentric personality. The film is a modern-day fairy tale, blending magical realism with everyday charm. The film's strengths lie in its ensemble cast of eccentric characters, each with their unique quirks and stories. From the reclusive artist who paints the same picture over and over to the hypochondriacal tobacconist, every character adds depth to the vibrant tapestry of Montmartre and Amélie's life. The film supported by a score by Yann Tiersen, ties these characters' lives together, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human experiences. Amélie herself, while bringing joy to others, grapples with her sense of isolation and longing for love and companionship. However, through her altruistic actions, she discovers fulfillment in making a difference in people's lives, ultimately finding her happiness in the process. The film culminates in a heartwarming resolution, where Amélie finds the courage to pursue her happiness and embrace love. It concludes on a note of hope and optimism, celebrating the healing of kindness and human connections.

[nofuckinlabels]

On September 3rd 1973, at 6:28pm and 32 seconds, a bluebottle fly capable of 14,670 wing beats a minute landed on Rue St Vincent, Montmartre. At the same moment, on a restaurant terrace nearby, the wind magically made two glasses dance unseen on a tablecloth. Meanwhile, in a 5th-floor flat, 28 Avenue Trudaine, Paris 9, returning from his best friend's funeral, Eugène Colère erased his name from his address book. At the same moment, a sperm with one X chromosome, belonging to Raphaël Poulain, made a dash for an egg in his wife Amandine. Nine months later, Amélie Poulain was born.

[lockejoy]

Amélie's Philosophical Viewpoints...

"Amélie" is a whimsical and charming French film released in 2001, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film follows the life of Amélie Poulain, a young woman who works as a waitress in a café in Montmartre, Paris. The movie is often regarded as an example of magical realism, combining everyday life with elements of fantasy and imagination. From a philosophical viewpoint, "Amélie" touches upon several themes and ideas: Existentialism: The film explores the existential theme of the individual's quest for meaning and connection in a seemingly indifferent world. Amélie's personal journey is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those around her, finding purpose in her actions, and seeking emotional connections. Human Nature and Empathy: Amélie observes the people around her and recognizes their struggles, joys, and sorrows. The movie emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in fostering human connections and transforming lives. Subjectivity and Perception: "Amélie" portrays how individuals interpret reality differently, influenced by their emotions and perspectives. The film uses quirky visual storytelling to show how imagination and personal perception can shape one's experience of the world. Synchronicity and Serendipity: Throughout the film, chance encounters and coincidences play a significant role in Amélie's life and the lives of the people she touches. This highlights the idea of synchronicity, the meaningful connections that can arise from seemingly random events. Rediscovering Innocence and Joy: Amélie's character embodies childlike innocence and a sense of wonder, which she tries to spread to those around her. This reminds the audience of the importance of holding onto joy and embracing simple pleasures amidst life's complexities. Self-Discovery and Self-Expression: Amélie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, breaking free from her introverted nature to explore the world and express her true self. This reflects the philosophical idea of authenticity and being true to oneself. In summary, "Amélie" is not only a delightful cinematic experience but also a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, connections, and the pursuit of meaning and happiness in life. It presents a blend of magical realism and philosophical themes that resonate with audiences on a profound level.

[lego-95316]

CMS 294 Blog #4

Blog Four

Conduct a holistic of the film Amélie by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Be sure to integrate terminologies and concepts from course discussions on both photography and film in your analysis. Cite all borrowed materials.

Amélie is a French Romantic Comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film is a deception of Parisian life set in Montmartre; an area known for its artistic history. The story deals with a shy waitress who changes the lives of everyone around her while dealing with her own issues of isolation. The film is filtered with bright colors from beginning to end. The beginning introduces Amélie’s parents and their interesting likes and dislikes. Amélie is six years old and relies on her imagination since her parents falsely believe she has a heart defect that won’t allow her to attend school. Each shot is framed to depict her imagination that separates her thoughts from reality. She’s a character all about balance. Throughout the film, the character creates the balance necessary for her own benefit and the better for others around her.

            Throughout the film, the narrator gives brief descriptions of the people Amélie encounters and so forth. When Amélie deals with her own isolation, the camera focuses on a close shot of the tv depicting what she is feeling. Some shots are framed with bright contrasts after Amélie helps someone out or bright depicting her departure from the real world. The visual colors add to the comedic atmosphere and romantic aspects of the film. After Amélie creates balance, the camera shifts its focus to a closeup of her smiling after creating the sense of balance between herself and the people she interacts with.

            The film received positive critical and audience reception as it’s filled with memorable moments. While being enjoyed as a film or work of art, the audience also enjoys the film from a holistic perspective. Amélie is a classic example of a holistic thinker creating a positive balance with those around her and within herself. Every technique used with depth of field and camera shot types add to the comedic and cartoon like setting that Amélie has set in to deal with her own isolation. The voice-over adds to the atmosphere of each character and comedic tone.

While it can be confusing to understand the film after the first initial viewing as the effects cover this film to the brim and keep the audience engaged. Amélie is a dreamer often shunned by society, but the film plays wonders with its colorful images and cinematography and embraces the dreamers who wish to help those around them especially when they show her heart beating within her sweater. From the very beginning of Amélie’s childhood days to the end where she finds true happiness within herself, director, Jean-Pierre Jeunet uses a colorful pallet and unique camera techniques to give off a more cartoon approach to this romantic comedy and makes the audience love Amélie for her kind nature. It’s clear that framing techniques and illusion of depth throughout the film add to Amélie’s dreaming nature and exist for that sole purpose of the film. Amélie melting like water at the sight of her lover, Nino is my favorite example of the techniques used. It adds to the romantic tension and the audience continues to root for her the entire time.

References:

Jeunet. J. (Director). (2001). Amélie. [Film]. Claudie Ossard Productions.

[mymoviemania-coffee]

Amélie (Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain) (2001)

[musicals-in-sweden]

Production photos (part 1) from Amélie the Musical - Östgötateatern, 2021

Photography by Markus Gårder

[colinfirth]

On September 3rd 1973, at 6:28pm and 32 seconds, a bluebottle fly capable of 14,670 wing beats a minute landed on Rue St Vincent, Montmartre. At the same moment, on a restaurant terrace nearby, the wind magically made two glasses dance unseen on a tablecloth. Meanwhile, in a 5th-floor flat, 28 Avenue Trudaine, Paris 9, returning from his best friend's funeral, Eugène Colère erased his name from his address book. At the same moment, a sperm with one X chromosome, belonging to Raphaël Poulain, made a dash for an egg in his wife, Amandine. Nine months later, Amélie Poulain was born.

Amélie (2001) dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet

[queerchoicesblog]

Broken Dreams

Hiya, folks! So, as previously announced, the wlw writing project continues after a break with a miniseries set back in the City of Lights - & Love - at the time of the Belle Epoque, at the turn of the century.

The story of Élodie and Léa continues a bit later than usual but here we are!

Next and final chapter of this story will be out next week: stay tuned for the finale!

Tagging: @scottishqueer​

Previous chapters: Paris, Paris ; One Night At The Moulin Rouge , The Handkerchief, The Cage of Fools,  La Vie Bohème

Hope you enjoy it: if you do, please consider spreading the word!

_______________________________

The morning after, I arrive home early. When I left the apartment, Élodie was still sleeping, wrapped in a shawl. I enter my room like a ghost, I take off my favourite dress, so carefully picked last night, and let myself fall to the bed like a dead body, feeling empty and heavy at the same time. I close my eyes and doze off for an hour or two, I cannot tell. I am awaken by the voice of Marie in the other room. My friend is back. I sigh and stand, joining her and my roommates in the kitchen after putting on my robe. When she sees me, her smile is soon replaced by a concerned expression: I don't look well, am I feeling alright? No, actually not really, no. I feel sick and hurt and tired and I barely slept. A roommate dismisses her concerns, informing her that my night out is probably to blame. "Yes, I went out with some of the girls last night and I suppose I had a bit too much" I confirm: sometimes a white lie is easier than the truth. It is now,at least. "Girls...we believe she has a secret lover" the other says, handing Marie a glass of milk and a small plate of biscuits. Their words hurt more than they surely meant with their idle maliciousness: I wouldn't have given them much thought under normal circumstances, but they ring differently after Élodie's party and refusal.

My friend can't refrain a surprised gasp. "Is it true, Léa? You didn't tell me anything" "If she did, it would no longer be a secret affair" the first who spoke argues. "No, Marie, it's just a crazy theory of the ladies here" I sigh, taking a seat too. "How was your journey?" Luckily, my abrupt shift of topic works. Sipping her milk, Marie tells me of her stay in Argenteuil. Being back home after all that time has been nice and weird at the same time: so much has changed since the day she left. Her mother's hair is now turning grey and his little brother announced his engagement to the butcher's daughter, a shy gracious girl named Marguerite: they'll marry next year. Despite what the doctors feared, her Aunt is now recovering, slowly but steadily. The illness debilitated her quite a lot as she's still among the living, which is all that matters. Marie's mother is looking after her now: she's in good hands. Our conversation distracts me but less than usual. I try not to notice. I join the three of them for a late breakfast even if I have little appetite, out of inertia. Then, I go back to my room, Marie in tow. As she start unpacking her bag, I lay back on the bed, unsure of what to do. I wrap myself in the blankets, overcome by a sudden cold. "Why don't you get some rest? It helps with hungovers" she suggests, folding her clothes. I look at her, wondering if "hungover" is truly what makes me feel so wrecked. What last night truly was, a side effect of vie bohème. "Are you nursing me?" I smile weakly. "Of course, you're my friend!" she chuckles, throwing me a sympathetic look. "Close your eyes, I'll be as quiet as a little mouse" Too tired and heartbroken to protest, I do as she says. I slowly descend into a dreamless slumber, a sweet merciful oblivion I anchor to like the victim of a shipwreck holds on to a piece of wood floating in a dark stormy sea. Isn't a shipwreck a good metaphor for my condition? I dared too much and tumbled overboard... Over the weeks that follow, I do my best to blend in my old life as if nothing happened and it was all a dream, a gorgeous dream I had to wake up from sooner or later. I work twice as hard as I used to and my efforts don't go unnoticed, especially now that we have so many orders and so little time on our hands. One day our infamous supervisor gave me an appreciative look and a surprisingly polite smile: keep up the good job and a promotion might be in store in the new year, she said. Marie overheard and winked at me from her desk. As the year inexorably comes to an end, we don't get to see our friends as often as we used to before she left but we keep in touch somehow and make plans for the New Year's Eve celebrations. Something to look up to, right? Life goes back to the way it was and I am grateful. Yet I cannot fool myself, I know it too painfully well. I miss Élodie terribly, unbearably but I don't dare to try and see her again. I avoid crossing Pigalle and Montmartre, I keep my distance from the Moulin Rouge. After what she said, I think she wouldn't like to see me. I've waited weeks for a letter, a note, whatever sign from her but nothing came. It hurts, especially at night when at times sleep is slow to come and I am left all alone with my thoughts. I shut my eyes and she is there, laughing as we gallop down the corridor, whispering my name like a prayer, kissing my lips in the moonlight. Then she dissolves when morning comes, an hurtful remainder that she's gone. A week before Christmas, Marie reads me a letter from home: after hearing what I did for her while she was away, her family invites me to spend the festivities at Argenteuil. If I have no plans to travel back to Roscoff, they would be delighted to have me as a guest. Of course going back home is out of question, so I accept. They welcome me with the warmth everyone would reserve to a relative they don't see often but who hold a special place in their hearts and I must confess, it touches me. Marie and her brother show me around while her mother cook us one of the best meals I have ever had. Even Aunt Odette helps, despite Marie's concerns. Sitting at their table, listening stories and eating a delicious Galette Des Rois, I feel at home, for a moment. I wish I could have felt that way in Roscoff too but it never happened. We leave after an interminable series of hugs and wishes. Marie's father makes me promise to attend the wedding next year, I offer to help sewing the wedding dresses, the groom's and Marguerite's. They all keep waving at us until our carriage takes a turn and disappear from view. We arrive back in Paris just in time for the New Year's celebrations: we greet 1890 drinking cheap champagne and dancing by the river, barely acknowledging the sleet withening the streets of the City of Lights. On our way back home, we share our dreams and hopes for the new year before the mad routines of our lives sets back into motion. I must say that for once I am thankful to the routine I complained about at times through the years. There is something oddly comforting in it now that I am trying to be a whole again. Then one week later, something unexpected happens. I am at work, cutting fabric for a new dress when our supervisor storms in. At first, I fear I am in trouble because she makes a beeline for me. Luckily, I am not: she is just going hysterical because the secretary of a certain Monsieur Toussaint, a loyal costumer and 'a most respectable lawyer', is here to collect an order with urgency but she has no idea where the suit is: the girl who took care of - and made a mess with - the order is sick that day. She adds other anxious mumbling but I don't understand a word. It's clear though what she wants. I assure her I will go find it immediately: as I leave my desk, she squeals to hurry, faster, faster! Away from her hysterical pressure, I find it in no time and head to the hall downstairs after checking myself in the mirror: we must look put together when meeting costumers. Or costumers' secretaries, I suppose. When I reach the ground floor, I see her. A young woman is waiting, patiently looking out the window. The cloak looks oddly familiar: it must be pretty popular these days. I address her with the dignified politeness and affability we have been instructed to have with our costumers. When she turns, I stop mid-sentence: it's not just the cloak, even her face is familiar. "Oh hello, Amélie..." She blinks twice and for a moment a shade of pink colours our cheeks as if our being acquaintances and the circumstances of our meetings make us suddenly shy. She recovers quickly though, and offers me a hand to shake. We chat a little but we don't have much time: duty calls for both of us. She's already heading towards the main door when she suddenly stops. I'm about to ask her if she forgot something, her gloves maybe when she speaks again. "You...don't know what happened, then?" I freeze. A name immediately crosses my mind followed by a growing concern: Élodie. "What? What happened?" She winces and walks back to the counter. In a somber tone and keeping her voice low, she tells me that it was New Year's Eve. The Moulin hosted a huge party to celebrate the success of its opening. Élodie performed in la quadrille that night, as usual. The routine was running smoothly and the dancers lined up for the hat kick. Out of the blue, a visibly drunk spectator grabbed Élodie's foot and pulled her, probably in an attempt to take off her boot or whatever he was thinking. Two gentlemen nearby promptly intervened, pushing him back and freeing her from his clutches, but damage was already done. Élodie lost balance and took a bad fall to the ground. She stood again, helped to her feet by Laurent, and kept dancing till the end. But when she made it to the backstage, she collapsed again, in tears and great pain. "The doctor said that with an ankle in that conditions, it was a miracle she even managed to stand up again" Amélie explains. "Oh God...I knew nothing of it" I cover my mouth with my hand. "I thought so" she grimaces. "How...how is she now?" "Very depressed: she spends her days lying in bed and refusing to see anyone. I had to insist and almost force my way in her room to visit her" She takes a pause. "You see, the doctor told she cannot dance now. Maybe anymore. Not as she did, anyway" I cannot even fathom the effect those words must have had on Élodie: dancing is everything to her. It's like saying to a bird it will no longer fly because they will tie one of its wings. "It can't be..." I reach to the counter for support. No, it can't be... "I know....a tragedy" she agrees. "But you should go see her. I'm sure it will make her happy and maybe you can make her change her mind" Cold dread washes over me as she leaves but I have a new steely resolution now. The following day, after work, I am knocking at Élodie's apartment's door. I am greeted by a young man with a pair of blonde moustaches who introduces himself as 'Louis Renard, painter extraordinaire'. I explain him the reason of my visit and he nods sympathetically, letting me in. He and the other roomates are all worried for El, he says: she's refusing to eat and talk and they only hear her cry. They don't know what to do to help, but "maybe you can, maybe she will listen to her friends", he adds encouragely as we stop in front of her door. Luis clears his throat and knocks but no answer comes. "Él, sunshine? Guess what news I bring? You have a visitor...a friend here came to-" "Go away, I don't wanna see anyone" Luis shakes his head and throws me a pained look. Her voice is so different from the last time I heard it. "But she's here, she came for you. At least-" "I'm tired, I need to rest" Luis opens his mouth for one last attempt to reason with her but I raise my hand, gesturing him to let me try. "Élodie? It's me, Léa, remember? I've heard what happened and I just want to check in on you. If you're tired, I will let your rest and wait here until you wake up. But I will not leave without seeing you" No answer comes again, only silence on the other side. Luis and I hold our breath for a moment then I say: "I will let you sleep, I'm in the other room" Luis shows me the way and we walk down the corridor. I grimace: what was I expecting? Amélie said it all herself... I am taking a seat, bracing myself for a long painful wait when her voice resounds again behind the closed door. "Come in" Luis and I exchange a look then he smiles. He has to go now, he must deliver his latest painting, but I am welcome to stay. Keep an eye on El in the meantime, would you?, he asks. My heart is racing when I open her door: I have gone through what to say to her on my way here so many times but I can't remember a single word now. I take a deep breath to steady my nerves before stepping in. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't work. Élodie is sprawled over the bed and props herself up when I enter the room. She offers a weak smile, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders before diverting her eyes. She looks tired, a shadow of her usual self. "Léa, what a surprise..." Her voice is feeble, a whisper; her hair askew fall on her face, hiding her visage. At the bottom end of the bed lay her legs, barely covered by wrinkled blankets, the same that once welcomed our passionate embrace. My heart aches at the memory of it and at the sight of her right ankle, wrapped up in tight bandages and held in place by wooden sticks on each sides. "I came as soon as I heard the news" I grimace. She nods somberly, always avoiding my gaze. "I-I should have known you would but you didn't have to after-" Before she can complete the sentence, her voice breaks and even if I can't see her face, I know she's crying. I don't even have to think: I run by her side and pull her into a tight hug, tight enough to hopefully offer her an anchor. She immediately wraps her arms around my waist and I feel her tremble against me as she succumbs to her grief. Her career is over, she says between sobs, she will lose everything and what will she do now? She always knew it wouldn't have lasted forever but now it's too soon, she's still young, too young to end it so soon. I caress her hair, calming, soothing. She buries her head against my side. It's a terrible thing to see: lovely mirthful Élodie shattered, defeated. The worst thing is I can do very little for her apart standing here by her side and holding her as she cries her heart out. I keep stroking her curls even when her sobs subside at last and she takes long breaths, grasping for air. "We'll figure something out" I say out of the blue. She parts and meets my gaze, her eyes puffy and red. "We'll figure something out" I repeat, brushing away a tear with my thumb. I have no idea how but there must be a way out of this, I don't know. In the meantime, I do the only reasonable thing I can think of: I take care of Élodie. I visit her almost every day and bring her food so she won't starve herself. She's a bit hard to convince at first: she keeps saying I don't have to do this but I am more stubborn than her. One day, she takes my hand into her and she apologises for disappearing on me: she regrets it dearly and missed me more than words can tell. Her voice trembles as she speaks and I believe mine does too when I smile to her and say I missed her too. Funny how a bunch of words, the words we need or hope to hear, can make the world around us a bit brighter and warmer even in the heart of winter. One evening, I head towards her apartment with my usual gifts. As I take off my coat and hand it to Luis, I hear her: Élodie is singing a doleful song I have never heard. A memory of her childhood maybe since she recalls the words so well. I hear her from the main room: her voice, albeit a little uncertain, is utterly beautiful. Melancholic, modulated, melodious. That kind of voice you would never get tired of listening, over and over again, like a lullaby. When I reach the threshold of her room, she's looking out of the window, absentmindedly, playing with a loose strand of her. She turns towards me and stops, offering me a smile instead. "What was that?" I ask, walking closer. "Oh, nothing, just an old tune" she shrugs. "I don't even know why it even crossed my mind after all this time" "I got you a book and a little treat" I hand her a cheap edition of a novel a colleague gifted me and a slice of cake I bought on the way there. Élodie's eyes bright up as if I brought her a shiny diamond rock. "You're spoiling me, little pearl" she smiles, unwrapping the sweet. "Here, have some!" I lean down to press a kiss on the top of her head. "No no, it's for you only" She takes a bite and scoots over so that I can take a seat beside her. "Charming" She reaches out and kisses my cheek. The crumbs on her lips tickle, making me chuckle. "What's the story of the book?" she asks, mouth half full. I pick it up and adjust at her side. "I'm not sure honestly...I think it's a romance. I thought it might keep you company" "Sweet" she comments. "....or spicy. Let's see! You're not leaving so soon, right?" I smile, brushing a strand of hair away from her eyes. She leans into the touch, a sweet expectancy in her eyes. "No, I'll stay. We can read it together when you finish" She smiles again, nodding and checking the back of the book to get an idea of the plot. As I watch her eating and skimming the book I brought her, I cannot stop thinking of the little tune I caught her singing a moment ago. I look at her and she seems so blissfully unaware of the gracious beauty she filled the room with. When she takes the last bite, she hands me the book to read. "Sounds like a nice story. Shall we?" I take the book in my hands but I hesitate. "Sure, but first could you sing that song again?" I knew my request would surprise her. "Yes but...why?" she asks, sitting straighter. A smile crosses my lips as I place a hand over hers. "I have an idea"

[baellerin]

No idea what music you're aiming for... If I have to focus I like The Cardigans or the soundtrack to Amélie from Montmartre 😊 (sorry if you were looking for more up to date/alternative things)

I looked them up and turns out I actually know a couple of songs by the cardigans 😂 but I’m definitely going to listen to them more now I’ve realised who they are

I love listening to soundtracks so I’ll definitely give that a go too, I’ve never seen the film :)

thank you 😊 💕

[ohmyyfrench]

5 FAMOUS FRENCH MOVIES

Here is a selection of famous French movies. They’ve been popular in France but also internationally. Get the chance to know more about them and listen to how they sound in original French.

TAXI

THE MOVIES

Taxi is a series of comedy films, created by French screenwriter and producer Luc Besson, consisting of 5 films. In addition to them, an American-French remake of the 1998 original was also made in 2004 (Taxi) and in 2014 an American-French TV series called Taxi Brooklyn aired on television.

LUC BESSON

Luc Besson is a French film director, screenwriter, and producer. He directed or produced the films Subway (1985), The Big Blue (1988), and La Femme Nikita (1990). He has won awards for Best Director and Best French Director for his sci-fi action film The Fifth Element (1997).

Find out more with our interactive lessons! https://ohmyfrench.com/videos/samy-naceri/

BIENVENUE CHEZ LES CH’TIS

THE MOVIE

A director of the Post Office in Provence is, to his detriment, transferred to Bergues, a small town in the North. His family refusing to accompany him, Philippe will go alone. To his surprise, he discovered a charming place, a warm team and welcoming people. He befriends Antoine, the postman and bellman of the village, with a possessive mother and thwarted love.

BOX OFFICE

« Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis » is a 2008 French comedy film directed and co-written by Dany Boon and starring Kad Merad and Boon himself. The film is the highest-grossing French film of all time at the box office in France.

Find out more with our interactive lessons! https://ohmyfrench.com/press/bienvenue-chez-les-ch-tis/

INTOUCHABLES

A TRUE STORY

After he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caregiver. In Paris, the aristocratic and intellectual Philippe is a quadriplegic millionaire who is interviewing candidates for the position of his carer, with his red-haired secretary Magalie.

OMAR SY

In 2012, Sy received the César Award for his role in The Intouchables, becoming the first recipient of sub-Saharan African descent to win the award. He later received roles in « X-Men: Days of Future Past », « Jurassic World », « Demain tout commence » and « Transformers: The Last Knight. »

Find out more with our interactive lessons! https://ohmyfrench.com/videos/omar-sy/

LE FABULEUX DESTIN D’AMÉLIE POULAIN

A MUNDANE STORY

Amélie is a shy waitress in a Montmartre café. After returning a long-lost childhood treasure to a former occupant of her apartment, and seeing the effect it has on him, she decides to set out on a mission to make others happy and in the meantime pursues a quirky guy who collects discarded photo booth pictures.

AWARDS

The film received critical acclaim, with praise for Tautou’s performance, the cinematography, production design, and writing. Amélie won Best Film at the European Film Awards; it also won four César Awards, including Best Film and Best Director).

Find out more with our interactive lessons! https://ohmyfrench.com/podcasts/amelie/

LES VISITEURS

A HISTORY

France, 1122. Count Godefroy de Montmirail, a victim of the curse of an evil sorceress, kills the father of his bride. Godefroy turns to the great wizard Eusebius for help, who offers the count to go through the corridors of time in the past and correct his mistake. De Montmirail agrees to this proposal, but due to the wizard’s mistake, he and his servant fall into the 90s of our time. In the twentieth century, they will have many adventures and meet their descendants…

AN ANCESTOR

This is where the real intrigue begins: instead of returning a few minutes before the tragedy, the two accomplices move centuries later and discover the highway, airplanes, TGV, car, polluted air and confront the modern world with all its comforts and unpleasant everyday irritants. Just imagine the shock of a distant and obscurantist era. If the most distant of our ancestors discovered our world today, what would they think?

Find out more with our interactive lessons! https://ohmyfrench.com/podcasts/jean-reno/

[ahmeddocuments-blog]

Day 5, (Paris: Downtown; Montmartre, Opera, Galeries Lafayette, L'église de la Madeleine, Bir Hakeim ), 29-9-2019

Written by Ahmed Hassan, edited and corrected by Aya Ashraf.

My day started with raindrops on the roof window right above me, waking me up after a nice day I spent earlier. Looked down the street to realize it’s gonna be a very rainy day. Pointing out the irony, that was the day I planned to do my laundry. There was a laundry place near Islem’s, so I prepared my stuff. Islem shared his washing machine detergent to allow me to save money, Went down and it was slightly raining, the spiral staircase at Islem’s had a window view on the train tracks.

Started doing laundry, which cost me around 6 Euros, including both washing and drying. I gotta say having a close self-service laundry place near home is something we really miss in Egypt. The whole experience isn’t that bad, I’ve literally left my clothes to be washed and went out to have breakfast and then I came back to find it almost done. Spent some time for it to be dry then took it all home.

Started my day from Gare du Nord, that’s where I made an amazing discovery! You can get your photos printed in printing machines inside the station, which I later discovered it’s all over Paris, and the picture literally costed me 0.25 euro only!

Took the metro to Anvers to visit Montmartre, started my visit by Sacré-Cœur, which is a beautiful basilica on the top of a hill looking over Paris. This beautiful place was featured in one of my favorite French movies to date; Amélie.

As climbing up there tends to be quite a tiring experience, the view later can always be as calming as it looks. I always do nothing except sitting on the stair up there, and just stare at this to catch my breath.

One of the things that I’ve always wanted to capture is the sinking building of Montmartre. As I shared earlier, the basilica is on a higher land. And accordingly if you tilted your phone to the right or left aligning with the up-going hill, the building will pretty much look like this:

Here’s something quite obvious about the basilica; It gets bigger and more beautifully detailed the more you’re getting closer. I always tend to spend some time getting a lot of photos of the executive exterior.

And as much as it had a beautiful exterior, entering the building feels different. The Interior ceiling is high with some beautiful natural light, allowing you to feel calm and enjoy the scene.

I didn’t stay there for long to avoid the crowds arriving, and instead, treated myself with some Montmartre street-walking. It is absolutely one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris that truly captures a never-forgotten old city spirit.

Passing by some remarkable Montmartre landmarks like Le Consulat restaurant, which is an Iconic building that shapes most of the Montmartre pictures and paintings.

The neighborhood also contains a beautiful semi-spiral street showing the basilica in the background, leading the way to Buste de Dalida.

As an Egyptian, I’ve always been fascinated by Dalida. Her appreciation and devotion for the Egyptian culture, given the fact that she lived there for a while, didn’t make her any less French. She used to be a resident of Montmartre, and she’s memorized by a statue for her in the end of the above street.

And not very far from this place, her beautiful house is located.

The neighborhood also contains another location for another important residents; The Apartment of Theo Van Gogh, Vincent Van Gogh’s brother who always supported Vincent financially. This is also the place where Vincet Van Gogh stayed at in Paris. The two brothers shared an apartment on the third floor of this building from 1886 – 1888.

Last but not least, Moulin Rouge. One of the world's most famous Cabaret and show business venue, which has been running for more than a century.

I started moving from this neighborhood towards Galeries Lafayette via Metro. Galeries Lafayette is a very luxurious shopping mall right in front of the Paris Opera house, Palais Garnier. It contains most of the well known clothing brands with the latest fashion trends, all under one roof.

The mall features a free roof access to look at Pairs from a higher position, displaying a back view of the opera, Parisian buildings and Eiffel Tower in the horizon.

I proceeded to the opera entrance to get a shot of the Iconic golden figures featured at the building front, It’s obviously one of Paris’s fanciest neighborhoods.

I was originally heading to Le-Champs-Elysees, and on my way I was stopped by a very beautiful church, which I also wanted to visit the year before. L'église de la Madeleine is a church which was designed in its present form as a temple to the glory of Napoleon's army.

I entered and I was so lucky to find an ongoing choir for Mozart’s Requiem, performed by Nancy Ducale choir and orchestra. The echo caused by the choir singing is one of the indescribable feelings in the world, specially inside such a beautiful place like this one.

Here’s a preview of how it felt listening to that

I remember I stayed there for like 20 minutes listening to this ongoing act, before I started moving to downtown. I passed by the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of France. Passing through Le Champs-Élysées, I started to get hungry and headed for my first economy option, McDonald’s. Fun Fact: In France, McDonald’s serves not only French Fries, but also wedges. The Meal roughly costs 8 euros, and it was a way to treat myself on after an exhausting walking tour in Paris.

I was later joined by Mohamed near Arc de Triumph and started heading towards Bir Hakeim. I told him there’s a surprising scene that I really wanted him to experience. Part of Metro line 6 crosses over the Seine, revealing a very beautiful panoramic view of Eiffel tower.

Leaving the station to capture Seine view near the bridge, couldn’t help but enjoy the symmetrical view of the bridge. It was wildly popular as it was featured in “Inception”

Pont Bir Hakeim is centered by La France Renaissante, a beautiful statue pointing towards the Seine, but when captured right, It can create a beautiful scene with Eiffel tower.

and since we were already on Île aux Cygnes, we took a walk literally in the middle of the river to reach one of the three versions of statue of liberty around Paris. 

It was going really well until it started to rain heavily. I’ve never witnessed such heavy rains before my entire life. And Since no metro or bus stations were nearby due to the fact we’re isolated in the middle of the Seine, we had to walk under rain to the nearest bus station. And to make it worse, buses weren’t arriving on time so we stood there till a bus finally rescued us and luckily was heading towards Montmartre.

The rain stopped when we were on board, and we finally made it to Montmartre. I took some beautiful night shots for the Basilica and Moulin Rouge, then headed home.

I later jumped on the Metro and headed home to rest after that heavy rain and exhausting day around the city, Islem luckily offered to order Pizza for both of us, which I remember was really delicious! I ate it and Immediately felt the need to rest.

Day 103rd of quarantine: Containing your sanity with an ongoing repetitive patterns can easily make you go mad. Now I understand how scientists, authors and writers might perform really well when they’re isolated, but accordingly lose some of their sanity or the way they deal with life in general. I’m none of the above of course, I’m just a normal human being who’s disappointed of how I’m taking this. The worst thing about the COVID-19 isolation is leaving me to my thoughts and who I truly am. Everything I’m feeling when I’m alone is a reflection to thoughts I’ve always chose not to see, to hanging problems or issues I’ve always delayed for 29 years of my life.

Every past midnight thought is another reason for me to doubt, fix and learn. I’ve been doing these reflections for quite a while, tried fixing and confronting but that wasn’t easy. It took me some courage to understand the worst about myself, and the value I’m not recognizing at the same time.

I’m writing this on June 27th, 2020. I’m in the worst state of mind in months, and I’m trying to survive my own thoughts. The repetitive patterns are killing me.

I want to feel alive again. 

[coldasyou]

Get to Know me: Favorite Movies [2/10] - Amélie  (2001)

On September 3rd 1973, at 6:28pm and 32 seconds, a bluebottle fly capable of 14,670 wing beats a minute landed on Rue St Vincent, Montmartre. At the same moment, on a restaurant terrace nearby, the wind magically made two glasses dance unseen on a tablecloth. Meanwhile, in a 5th-floor flat, 28 Avenue Trudaine, Paris 9, returning from his best friend’s funeral, Eugène Colère erased his name from his address book. At the same moment, a sperm with one X chromosome, belonging to Raphaël Poulain, made a dash for an egg in his wife Amandine. Nine months later, Amélie Poulain was born.

[inakialistelizarralde]

Floorplan of Amélie Poulain’s apartment in Montmartre from “AMELIE”. If you are interested in a handmade original or a print visit my store in ETSY: https://www.etsy.com/es/shop/TVFLOORPLANSandMORE