SEPTEMBER 2007
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRENCH CULTURAL SERVICES IN CHICAGO
For a listing of the French Cultural Events in the U.S. and the French movies on U.S. Television check the pages of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy
AIR FRANCE IS A PARTNER OF THE CULTURAL SERVICES OF THE EMBASSY
FILM
The Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State Street ; Tel: 312-846-2600
www.siskelfilmcenter.orgsecond version of his famous and controversial novel, Lady Chatterley's Lover. Winner of five César awards, including best film and best actress. September 22 at 3:00 pm and September 25 at 6:30 pm.
Lady Chatterley (2006; 168 min.). Directed by Pascale Ferran; starring Marina Hands, Jean-Louis Coulloc'h, Hyppolyte Girardot and Hélène Fillières. The story of love and passion between a bored young English aristocrat and her groundskeeper, based on D.H. Lawrence's
L'Age d'Or / The Golden Age (1930; 63 min.). Directed by Luis Buñuel; starring Gaston Modot and Lya Lys. Co-scripted by Salvador Dali, this is one of Buñuel's most famous surrealist masterpieces. Preceded by Un Chien andalou by Buñuel and Dali (1929; 16 min.). September 7 at 8:00 pm; September 10 at 6:00 pm.
Time Regained / Le Temps retrouvé (1999; 158 min.). Directed by Rail Ruiz; starring Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich. Ruis brings to the screen the final installment of Marcel Proust's seven part masterpiece. September 29 at 3:00 pm; October 1 st at 6:30 pm.
A Man Escaped / Un Condamné à mort s'est échappé (1956: 100 min.). Directed by Robert Bresson. The all-time classic about a French prisonner's daring escape from a Gestapo prison. September 21 at 6:00 pm; September 26 at 6:00 pm.
Orpheus / Orphée (1949; 95 min.). Directed by Jean Cocteau; starring Jean Marais and Maria Casarès. Cocteau's famous film reworks the Orpheus and Eurydice myth in wartime and post-war France. September 7 at 6:00 pm; Setpember 12 at 6:00 pm.
Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
2828 N. Clark St.; Tel: 773-509-4949
www.LandmarkTheatres.com
Dans Paris (2006; 92 min.). Directed by Christophe Honoré; starring the ubiquitous Romain Duris and Louis Garrel as two young brothers with different kinds of romantic concerns living in their father's apartment.Through September 6.
Alliance Française of Chicago
54 W. Chicago Avenue.; Tel: 312-337-1070.
www.af-chicago.orgDaddy Nostalgie (1990; 112 min.). Directed by Bertrand Tavernier: staring Dick Bogarde, Jane Birkin and Odette Laure. An English businessman retires to the French Riviera to recover from heart surgery and is joined there by his Parisian daughter. September 19 at 7:30 pm . Projected on video and followed by a discussion (in English).
ADDITIONAL VENUES: Please check your local listings the following films:
2 Days in Paris (2006;). Directed by Julie Delpy: starring Delpy and Adam Goldberg. A witty, cross-cultural comedy about a free-spirited French photographer and her uptight American boyfriend who spend two days in the City of Lights.
La Vie en rose/ La Môme (2007; 140 min.). Directed by Olivier Dahan. The story of one of France's most famous artists, the incomparable Edith Piaf, starring Marion Cotillard as the legendary singer, along with an all-star cast that includes Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory, Emmanuelle Seigner and Gérard Depardieu.
Paris, Je t'aime (2006; 126 min.). A collection of shorts about Paris and romance by several of the world's most acclaimed filmmakers, including Gus Van Sant and Olivier Assayas, and starring a who's who of international actors.
My Best Friend (2006; 90 min.). Directed by Patrice Laconte; starring Daniel Auteuil. An antique dealer with poor social skills must produce a best friend in ten days or lose a wager.
Molière (2006; 120 min. min.). Directed by Laurent Tirard;starring Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini and Laura Morante. A rich nobleman with literary aspirations enlists the help of the famous playwright.
MUSIC
African Festival of the Arts . The 18th annual edition of this event showcases musicians of African descent both local and international. This year's program features the French-African singer-composer Mina Agossi, one of the latest sensations on the international jazz scene, who performs September 3 at 4:30 pm at the World Music Stage (www.minaagossi.com); and renowned French harmonica player Frédéric Yonnet (www.fredyonnet.com)who performs on the Main Stage August 31 st at 8:30 pm. The festival runs August 31 - September 3 in Washington Park, 55 th and Cottage Grove. www.africainternationalhouse.org Tel: 773-955-ARTS. **PLEASE NOTE that Mina Agossi also appears in Chicago on September 12 th (see below).
Chicago World Music Festival, September 14-20 . One of the most important international music rendez-vous of the year, the festival features dozens of groups from dozens of countries performing in venues all around town. The following groups are likely to be of special interest to Chicago's francophone and franchophile communites: -the Orchestra of Tangier, under the leadership of the legendary Ahmed Zaitouni, performs Andalusian Music from Morocco with eight master musicians and the special appearance of the great vocalist Abderrahim Souiri;
-the Vietnamese French jazz of Huong Thanh & Nguyên Lê 's Fragile Beauty Quintet
-sounds from Timbuktu with the Tuareg ensemble Tartit;
-the Tunisian rap of MC Rai;
-the various African styles of Ivory Coast vocalist and percussionist Dobet Graboré, accompanied by French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline and others.Please visit the festival website for complete schedule and information: www.cityofchicago.org/WorldMusic/ Hotline: 312-742-1938. Sponsored in part by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Chicago.
Madeo. Come and dance to the irresistible tunes of these five boys from Bretagne, who perform at the 11 th annual Celtic Fest Chicago in Grant Park. September 15 at 5:00 pm at the Evening Showcase and September 16 at 12:50 pm at the Celtic Crossroads Stage. www.celticfestchicago.us Sponsored in part by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Chicago. Sample Madeo's music at www.myspace.com/madeomusique
ICE and Philippe Manoury . The International Contemporary Ensemble performs works by IRCAM French composer Philippe Manoury, including a work recently commissioned by the ensemble. The composer will be present at the event to speak about his work. September 23 at 7:30 pm at the Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave. www.mocp.org ; Tel: 312-494-2655.
Mina Agossi. This sultry jazz chanteuse of French and Benin origins makes her second Chicago appearance this month, with Eric Jacot on double bass and Ichiro Onoe on drums, in a special performance presented by the Alliance Française of Chicago at the Music Center of Columbia College, 1014 S. Michigan Ave. Alliance Française: 312-337-1070; Music Center: 312-344-6245. www.afchicago-orgwww.minaagossi.com September 12 at 7:30 pm.
Jean-Michel Pilc . The New York-based, self-taught French jazz pianist extraordinaire returns to Chicago for three performances:
-At the Greenmill Jazz club (with the Jean-Michel Pilc Trio), September 14 from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am and September 15 from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am. 4802 N. Broadway. Tel: 773-878-5552. www.greenmilljazz.com ; www.jmpilc.com
-At Piano Forte, 410 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 825, September 14at 3:00 pm. Tel: 312-
291-0000. www.pianofortefoundation.orgFrench electronica in clubs around town:
Fluokids DJ's at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont. September 6. Tel: 773-348-4975. www.berlinchicago.comwww.myspace.com/fluokids
For information on performances by French jazz singer and bass player Cécile Savage in the Chicago area, please visit www.cecilesavage.com.
LECTURES
Arno Bertina. This critically acclaimed young novelist and essayist, author of the novels Anima Motrix, Appoggio and Le Dehors ou la migration des truites among others , and member of the editorial committee of the French literary and philosophy review Inculte , will discuss his work as well as larger aspects of the contemporary novel in France, such as the trends, the major figures and the comparisons with American literature. The discussion will be moderated by Diane Eberhardt, Artistic Attaché at the Consulate General of France in Chicago. September 25 at 6:15 pm at the Alliance Française of Chicago, 54 W. Chicago Avenue. Tel: 312-337-1070. www.af-chicago.org "La situation socio-économique de la France et les changements en cours depuis la dernière élection présidentielle." Lecture by Frédéric Robinel, Director of Education at the Alliance Française of Chicago. Presented by the Alliance Française of the North Shore at the Wilmette Public Library Auditorium. September 17 at 1:00 pm. http://alliancefn.wlkcommunity.com or alliancefn@yahoo.com.
EXHIBITIONS
French artist Gérard Sendrey is part of a group show of outsider art at Judy A. Saslow Gallery, 300 W. Superior. www.jsaslowgallery.com Tel: 312-943-0530. September 7 through October 13. "Niki in the Garden." Some thirty sculptures by world-famous French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, best known for her oversized, exuberant "nanas." Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue. Tel: 1-877-CHICAGO. www.nikiinthegarden.com Through October 27.
THEATRE
Molière than Thou . Timothy Mooney returns to the Alliance Française with his hilarious and acclaimed one-man show, performing a collection of scenes and characters from the works of France's most famous playwright. September 28 at 7:30 pm. 54 W. Chicago Ave; Tel: 312-337-1070; www.af-chicago.org
NEWS FROM FRANCE
"Vwa Lakay: The Voice from Home ." Frantz Rémy, Patrick Augustin and other Haitians present music, news, and culture from the diaspora as well as the motherland, in Creole and French. Fridays from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on WHPK 88.5 FM.
"The Old Songs" Traditional and folk music from North America, the British Isles and France. Mondays 4:00 – 5 :00 p.m. on WHPK 88.5 FM.
TV5, The International Channel : programs in French from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Africa and Canada. Around the clock throughout the United States. Now available on TV via satellite. Information: 1-888-902-5322 or 303-267-5801. http://www.tv5.orgor www.i.channel
Le Journal de 20h de France 2 (in French with English Subtitles):
- Monday through Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on RCN, channel 65 on Chicago Cable.
- Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. on COMCAST channel 240 on Chicago cable.
Radio France International: http://www.rfi.fr For information on Francophone music, visit RFI Musique at http://www.rfimusique.com
FRANCOPHONE GATHERINGS
Alliance Française of Chicago: please visit the website for detailed information on the monthly discussion groups Café conversation, Café littérature, Café Poésie, Café Théâtre and Café Philosophie: www.af-chicago.or
Wednesdays from 6:15 to 10:00 p.m. Informal gathering of Francophiles and Francophones at Portillo restaurant, 100 W. Ontario. Information at 312-255-0567.
Groupe Professionnel Francophone . Francophones from various professions meet for cocktails, French conversation and networking in French. Great Street Restaurant, Renaissance Hotel, 1 W. Wacker Drive. The last Thursday of every month, starting at 5:30 pm www.gpfchicago.org; Tel: 773.525.5776.
Alliance Française of the North Shore
http://alliancefn.wlkcommunity.com
- Café Conversation : September 3 at 10:00 am at Panera Bread, 1199 Wilmette Avenue.
- Café Conversation, Evening Edition: September 10 at 7:30 pm at Panera Bread at 6059 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.
"Les Bavards," a monthly francophone dinner and converstation group in DesPlaines. Information: lesbavards@yahoo.com or http://lesbavardsfrancophones.blogspot.com/ Tel: 847-698-7436.
"Les Bavards du Nord,” a monthly francophone lunch and conversation group in Buffalo Grove. http://lesbavardsfrancophones.blogspot.com/ or lesbavardsdunord@yahoo.com Tel: 847-921-7864.
L'Institut Francophone. Weekly francophone gathering, every Monday at Latitude, 4500 North Lincoln Avenue, from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Contact groupe.de.lundi@gmail.com to be on the mailing list.
