George Benlian on movies, books and few other things

A well written biography of French actor Bernard Blier twenty years after his death

If you watch French movies, chances are you have seen Bernard Blier in many of them. As for a cinema enthusiast of my caliber, Blier remains an important figure of French cinema covering a period of fifty years; from the late thirties to the late eighties.

One hundred and eighty roles on the big screen, over thirty roles in the theatre; Blier was the quintessential character actor whose popularity remained intact during all his career. At a young age, he had the great Louis Jouvet as his tutor and made a remarkable debut by playing in a number of pre-war great French classics such as "Entree des artistes", "Hotel du Nord" and "Le jour se leve".

Jean-Philippe Guerand is a journalist having written books about Woody Allen and Jacques Tati. He met Blier four years before his passing away. Twenty years later, a voluminous biography of the french actor is published by Robert Laffont with Guerand as the author of this meticulous work. The target audience is obviously readers interested about French movies. I am definitely one of them as i do enjoy reading from time to time biographies of people who have worked or still work in the  French cinema industryry. 

When an actor has played in one hundred and eighty movies, inevitably some of them are rather average however in our memories we always remember those titles who have made an impact on us. Blier in "Quai des orfevres" made in 1947 by Henri-Georges Clouzot is a good example. He was thirty when he played the jealous husband who is a prime suspect of the death of his spouse. I will be watching this movie again very soon and will very likely write about it in this blog.

Another unforgettable performance of Blier is in his son; Bertrand Blier's sixth movie "Buffet froid" released in 1979. This is a pure joy to watch especially if you like unorthodox stories.

However Blier will always be remembered as Raoul Volfoni from "Les tontons flingueurs". This popular farce thriller has become over the decades the most revered french comedy with regular repeat on french television.

His son, Bertrand is a well respected film director. Father and son did three movies together however only "Buffet froid" is worth talking about. The other two were big failures in Bertrand's career.

Blier was also a passionate book collector. His collection was sold after his death and many purchasers of numerous titles were among his friends and colleagues.  

The prolific French writer and academic Maurice Druon dies at 90

Maurice Druon's death nine days before his ninety first birthday is a reminder of the gradual disappearance of a generation of French intellectual figures who started writing during or immediately after the Second World War.

Druon was a popular writer who was never shy to express and impose his opinions. A prolific author, he won the prestigious "Prix Goncourt" in 1948 at the age of thirty for his portrait of a powerful family, the post-war French equivalent of the Murdoch dynasty. Ten years later, Jean Gabin played the patriarch and financier Noel Schoudler in an adaptation for the cinema by Michel Audiard. In the fifties, he published a series of historical novels "Les Rois Maudits" ("The Accursed Kings")which made him an internationally renowned writer.

But it might be for a song lyric that he was most revered. In 1943, living in London as a young cavalry officer with the Free French forces in exile under Charles De Gaule he and his uncle, the writer Joseph Kessel, heard a simple marchlike tune with an unusual structure of repeated 11-syllable lines. Druon and Kessel adapted into the French version which became known as “Chant des Partisans” (“Song of the Partisans”. This quickly became an anthem of the French resistance, second in its patriotic power only to “La Marseillaise.”

In 1966, he was elected to the prestigious Académie Française. During the four decades, Druon was known as a cultural conservative who over the years remained determined to keep the historical gender assignments given to all french nouns. 

In the seventies he served for a short period of time (Just over one year) the functions of Minister of Culture during the Presidency of Georges Pompidou.  

So what did i watch during the French Film Festival?

It's not always easy to choose from a selection of 35 titles. Some of them will have theatrical release in the coming weeks so i will watch them later on. Others are only good for the small screen so time should not be waisted. There is also a handful of titles that we know in advance will be definitely worth having a look. 

 

 Emmanuel Mouret is a 38 years old director who also plays in his own movies. Eric Rohmer influence on his work is visible from the first scene of any of his movies. Since year 2000, he has directed four. His fifth one has just been completed and is due to be released later this year.

 

       

"Shall we kiss?" aka "Un baiser s'il vous plait" is his latest opus.Like in his previous movies,  love and relationship remains key elements in his exploration of thirty something lives of well behaved, well educated middle class men and women. The abundance of the dialogue may give the impression of a play however when it is well written, the whole experience is worthy of our time. Rohmer, Sacha Guitry, Marcel Pagnol all made movies with abundant dialogues, a tradition well kept in the French cinema. Mouret's observation of human relations is shown with the utmost simplicity and panache. He has good taste when it comes to romance. Marie Gilain, Fanny Valette and now Virginie Ledoyen have all felt in love with our romantic and idealist hero. The use of classical music (Schubert in "Shall we kiss?")adds the perfect touch of a harmonious comedy full of wit and intelligence. I am a huge fan of Emmanuel Mouret films. It takes some effort to accept a different type of filmmaking but once you are under the spell the rest is pure joy!

    

I have seen many kissing scenes over the years yet i never felt so engaged by the kiss scene at the end of this enchanting cinematic experience.

 

Jacques Mesrine was France's public enemy number one from the sixties until his assassination in the middle of the French capital in 1979. A two part movie directed by Jean-Francois Richet got released in 2008 obtaining a huge success by the press and the public alike. Four hours of packed action will impress anyone who likes thrillers. If part one may look repetitive, part two is truly and simply spectacular. It takes time to get used to the idea of almost liking a criminal whose ideas and charisma made him the most popular gangster of modern France.

 

Vincent Cassel is staggering in the leading role. He is without doubt the most gifted french actor of his generation. He can play anything and be reliable and convincing. Mesrine didn't know the meaning of the verb "surrender". A master of disguise and an assertive manipulator of high caliber, thirty years after his atroce end, he continues to fascinate.

Both movies are perfect examples to stop giving credits only to the Americans when it comes to fast heart beating action movies. For sure the American cinema is full of great thrillers but we should not underestimate  productions of this genre from other countries including of course France. Few years back, i discovered another superb french thriller called "36 Quai des orfevres" starring Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu.

Speaking of Daniel Auteuil, i was very disappointed to see his talent totally wasted in a weak comedy known in english as "Me two". A stupid idea makes a stupid movie and even Daniel Auteuil can't save it!

However, thumbs up for the new comedy written and directed by Francis Veber. Born in 1937, Veber became in the seventies a well respected screenplay writer specializing in comedies. He wrote "L'emmerdeur" know in english as "A pain in the ass" in the early seventies for Edouard Molinaro, a popular french movie director. The movie was a big hit in those days allowing Jacques Brel to show his acting abilities specially in a comedy. Thirty five years later, Veber made a remake from his own screenplay and the result is even better than the original. We are guaranteed as always to spend a joyful time in company of his duo. This is i guess the biggest recipe of great comedies. Having two very opposite characters being together can definitely provide hilarious moments as well as well structured conflict.   

    

Both Patrick Timsit and Richard Berry played "L'emmerdeur" at the theatre couple years ago. I always found Berry a fine performer who like Vincent Cassel can play any character and keep the whole thing authentic. Timsit however is your typical french comic actor who is obviously taking great pleasure of making his surrounding lives miserable. For a good laugh, "L'emmerdeur" is highly recommended.

 

 Jean Becker is the son of legendary film maker, Jacques Becker. Born in the thirties, he made couple average comedies in the sixties before disappearing for two decades. In 1983, he directed Isabelle Adjani in "L'ete meurtrier" before disappearing again for another decade. Since 1995, he is back and is making interesting movies on regular basis. His latest "Deux jours a tuer" is a curious piece that keeps the viewer puzzled. We know from his previous movies, Becker likes to promote the simple life. He has a zen approach and little things have great importance for him. In this movie, he keeps a deep secret right to the end. A great way to show how we can be sensitive without risking a stereotype outlook. Again, when watching a new movie by Jean Becker, we know he will take us to a beautiful and sometime sad journey.

  

"Mes amis mes amours" is a french romantic comedy having London as the centre of the action. An average movie that has some funny scenes but the lack of surprises can play a overall negative role.

The biggest highlight of the festival was "Paris 36". I didn't watch it for the simple reason it will be released in May. However, i did miss out an opopportunity to meet it's leading actor, Gerard Jugnot who was a guest at the festival. It is a pity as i have always considered Jugnot as a talented artist who can be funny and touching and definitely a pleasure to see him performing.

2009 French Film Festival in Australia

Every year in March, the French Film Festival organised by the Alliance Francaise is the perfect opportunity to bring a great number of French movies to our Australian cinemas. It all began twenty years ago with a modest program of i think 5 to 6 movies. I've been a regular follower since 1993 and in those days we were happy with 8 to 10 movies. In recent years, the popularity of the festival has grown immensely and naturally the number of movies selected increased as well. In 2009, we could see 35 movies. I mean if we don't have anything else to do of course. In my case, i will try to see about ten keeping in mind that some of the selected movies will be released during the year.

Looking at the program, i can see the choice of the programer, Jean-Jacques Garnier- the man responsible of bringing back Bertrand Tavenier late last year to Australia, is a fair one. If comedies are well represented, he has also chosen a number of more intimate movies. Without doubt, the festival centrepiece will be the two part movie of France's most recognisable criminal, Jacques Mesrine played by Vincent Cassel. For me both movies are a must to see and if possible it makes sense to watch part one before part two.

The opening night movie is directed by Christophe Barathier who made the extremely popular "Les Choristes" few years back. In "Paris 36", he recreates the French Capital of the Leon Blum era - 1936 where a group of unemployed enthusiasts will save a theatre in a lush reconstituted production with lots of music and dance. A true French experience that might sound rather exotic for aussie viewers.

As mentioned above, a number of comedies are being shown part of this year festival. The remake of "L'emmerdeur" - a french classic dated from 1973 is this time directed by Francis Veber who was the author of the original screenplay. In this new version  the hero and the anti hero are played by  Richard Berry and Patrick Timsit. With Francis Veber, we are always guaranteed to spend a good time. Daniel Auteuil is present in two movies; "Daddy cool" about a father/daughter relationship in a form of comedy and "Me two" with Alain Chabat and a subject that has a surreal touch. The other great comedy is the third Asterix movie which as always will entertain the audience.

 

I have great admiration to the director/actor Emmanuel Mouret. "Shall we kiss?" is selected and i am very keen to enjoy it. I am also keen to see the new movie by Jean Becker called "Love me no more".

For lovers of intellectual french cinema, my recommendation will be " A christmas tale" by Arnaud Desplechin. He makes very long movies but are worth a look. "Summer hours" by Olivier Assayas is also another choice but i will wait its commercial release in April. I have to admit i missed with enormous regret the premier screening of this movie that will take place in one week time followed by Q&A with Juliette Binoche and David Stratton. All tickets were sold super fast!

For more information about all 35 selected movies with schedule of screening times, you can check the festival website: www.frenchfilmfestival.org

An old article i have written on Charles Aznavour seeing live in 2004

Below is an article i wrote four year ago for an armenian publication in Sydney. After Cohen, let's read about this other great legend of music; Charles Aznavour. 

 

I don’t know about other armenians but for myself being able to assist to a concert by the great french singer Charles Aznavour was an old dream that finally came true.

 

At 80 years old, Aznavour is the living monument of the french music. I do not recall any other french singer, male or female who at eighty continues to perform. Most of them are either dead or retired. So what is the secret of longevity of Charles Aznavour?

 

Music is in his blood. He cannot live without music. In the month of September few days before his return for eight new concerts in his much loved Palais des Congres hall in Paris, Aznavour got a terrible asthma. It was devastating to hear this news fearing that this rare opportunity was lost for good. I don’t know about the magic recipy of his quick recovery  but Monsieur Aznavour was only obliged to cancel two concerts and fulfill the other six offering unforgettable performances.

 

If for the Armenian population, Aznavour represents the rich heritage of our centuries old culture; for the rest of the world, exluding alas Australia, he is the greatest working french performer who has always insisted to be a perfectionist in his art.

 

On the 22^nd of May 2004, the day he turned eighty, a special concert was held for his birthday. Other great french singers like Johnny Hallyday and Vanessa Paradis performed duos with him. It wasn’t a surprise to see at the front row one of his admirers, the current French President, Jacques Chirac.

 

When you listen to Aznavour performing live, lots of images can come to your mind. His songs are linked to our own memories. On stage, the man is impressive. He is ready to take you through his work to an era that doesn’t exist anymore. Song after song, masterpiece after masterpiece, they provide a feeling of happiness and proudness. Powerful words that belong to this man, that tell stories, statements and even anecdotes. Pleasant melodies that can also be heard while walking in the streets of Paris, Rome or Montreal.

 

Charles Aznavour is a master of his art. He started in the showbusiness at a very young age. His career didn’t take off that easily. For more than ten years, he had difficulties to convince the audience about his talent.  His perseverance, (his hayou gamke) helped him to continue to work, to perform, to meet great mentors like Maurice Chevalier, Charles Trenet and of course Edith Piaf. Finaly, in the mid 1950’s, the star was born during a concert season in the legendary hall of Olympia. Fifty years later, humble and energetic, passionate for his work regrouping more than eight hundred songs some written and composed by him, others by great authors like Jacques Prevert and composers like Georges Garvarents, his brother in Law; Aznavour makes you wonder why the life can be beautiful and full of hope.

 

One of the highlight of this concert was a magnificent duo with his younger daughter, Katia Aznavour. Together, they sang a brand new song called “I travel”. What a great proof  from a man of his age to show that he cannot stop to work  because after all, his work and his life go parallel to one another.

 

The dvd of his last concert tour “Happy anniversary Charles” is available to buy from the internet at www.amazon.fr

The two of us - First feature by the late Claude Berri

"Le vieil homme et l'enfant" (AKA "The two of us" in English" )was made in 1967 by the late Claude Berri.

This heart-warming first feature is based from childhood memories of the young Claude during the period of the Second World War. He was sent to the countryside by his parents to be away from the dangers of war. An elderly couple looked after him without knowing that the young boy was a jew.

This is a simply made story that keeps our attention intact. Although the action takes place in a tragic episode of Last Century, the movie has an optimistic feel and remains a beautiful message of hope. The child is mischievous in his ability to hide his true identity. On the other hand, the old couple represents the Human kindness despite the man being a supporter of the Marechal Petain. He is a candid bigot with a limited comprehension of the situation. Nevertheless, he is a good man. 

The choice of engaging Michel Simon for the role of the grandpa is highly applauded. Simon is my favorite actor of all time. Born in 1895 in Switzerland, his career spans fifty years with an impressive number of movies some great some average and some rather mediocre. However, even in the later case, Michel Simon was always able to be wonderful. I remember seeing two movies at the Videotheque de Paris in 1996 one after the other. Both movies were made the same year. In "Fric Frac" he was the most convincing alcoholic vilain with great naivity while in 'Circonstances attenuantes", he was playing a witty judge with absolute charm and distinction.

 

"The two of us" is available at the Criterion Collection. The special edition features three interviews with Claude Berri realised in 1967, 1975 and recently. It is impressive to see how the young and modest Claude of the sixties became over the next decades the most influential personality of the French Film Industry. Two other interviews with Michel Simon and Alain Cohen (The later was also done recently and we can see the young Cohen as a middle age man) are also part of the extras.

    

Author Sarah Turnbull at the Art Gallery of NSW

As part of Art After Hours weekly events held at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sarah Turnbull, the author of the best seller book "ALMOST FRENCH" gave a concise yet informative speech on her life post publication to the book.

Six years after its publication, "ALMOST FRENCH" remains a phenomenon in travel litterature. Readers are always keen to find out someone else's story in a Foreign land specialy when the so called "Foreign land" is none other than Paris. Sometime the content of such book could be cliche and run to the risk of keeping the reader bored. It is not the case with Turnbull's book. It's a simple story, very well written,  covering a period in the life of an Australian journalist who meets a Frenchman in Bucharest and decides to join him for a week in Paris. Obviously plans are made to be modified and love can conquer all.

Living in a foreign country specialy in a city like Paris can be both enriching and frustration experience. Knowing both French and Australian way of life, i must admit it's very different from one another. In France, certain protocols can be passed as dull and old fashion in Australia while the laid-back attitude of aussies could make your average French unconfortable.

Sarah and her husband are now living in Australia. She is writing a new book and the rumours are this time it's her homeland Australia that will occupy the content. Apparently her husband is also taking lots of notes while in Australia. The question remains whether he will take his revenge on her.

This event is part of the exhibition at the Gallery on Monet and other fellow impressionist artist's work of art. Definitely worth a visit.

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au