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VOL. 04.05 APRIL 28, 2004

A triweekly review of French news and trends Online at: www.ambafrance-us.org/publi/nff/index.pdf Europe, Iraq and Middle East on Barnier's Menu INSIDE Barnier Embarks on First Official Tour with Visits to Germany and Russia. 2 L’événement French Defense OR HIS FIRST VISITS ABROAD as 's new foreign and Moldova. France's foreign minister expressed concern over the Minister in Haiti minister, Michel Barnier went to Berlin and Moscow in April question of human rights in Chechnya, calling for a political resolution 3 France-Amérique to meet with his counterparts, Joschka Fischer and Sergey to its protracted conflict with Russia. l l Happy Birthday Lavrov. Traditionally, newly appointed French ministers of for- “French Tuesdays” Feign affairs dedicate their first official visit to Germany, France's most important European partner. Barnier, a committed European, has 4 Profil asserted his determination to promote France's role in the European French Film in the U.S. Union, which, according to him, should evolve into a real political Économie / Science union. The French foreign minister already shares a long-standing 5 friendship with his German counterpart, Joschka Fischer, and the two Sarkozy vs. the Deficit discussed the future of the European Union, as well as the situation in and Unemployment Iraq and current events in the Middle East. 6 Société During his visit to Russia, Barnier and Russian Foreign Minister Aids Campaign on TV Sergey Lavrov expressed their desire to see the United Nations play a more important role in Iraq during the ongoing transfer of power to 7 Culture the Iraqi people. Barnier declared that "we have to find a way to put an Saint Exupéry’s end to this tragedy," and that the solution should involve the creation Plane Discovered of a credible sovereign Iraqi government, the organization of an inter- 8 Chez nous national conference, and the holding of elections in January 2005. Manet and the Sea Barnier and Lavrov also discussed the issue of international terrorism, as well as the situation in the two former Soviet Republics of Georgia During his visit to Washington, D.C., (on April 23-24), Minister of State for the Economy, Finance and Letters Bring D-Day Back to Life Industry (right) met the French com-

munity during a reception at the French Embassy AMBASSADE DE FRANCE O MARK THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY of the D-day land- hosted by Consul General Jean-Pierre Allex-Lyoudi, in AUX ETATS-UNIS ings in Normandy, Jean-Pierre Guéno, director of Radio- the presence of Ambassador Jean-David Levitte (left) developed and France publications, compiled the letters and personal diaries (see our article on page 5). printed, and finally T (Photo Courtesy:Aida Senna) penned by Allied soldiers and civilians in the summer of 1944, as delivered to their they witnessed the liberation of France. The resulting book, Paroles recipients. This du Jour J (Words of D-day), was published on April 22 in France, in collabo- technique became known as "V mail" (V for victory). Their poignant contents ration with the Caen Memorial, the D-day Museum in New Orleans, the describe the horrors of war and the pride felt by the U.S. soldiers as they par- Imperial Museum ticipated in the liberation of France. Most of the letters were addressed to of London and the mothers, rather than to girlfriends or spouses, because most of the soldiers National Archives were barely 20 years old when they were sent to fight in France. of Canada. About 300 of the veterans who took part in the Normandy landings will be Thousands of hosted during 3 nights for free in 31 prestigious Parisian hotels from June 4 to letters were sent to June 7. "We wanted, through this gesture, to show that contrary to what some and from the coasts people contend, the French people remember their liberators," declared Didier of France, as the le Calvez, vice-president of the Four Seasons Hotel. He noted that a single night postal service was in these Parisian palaces costs between $600 and $840 during the high season. the only means for The hotels include Le Crillon, Four Seasons, Plaza Athénée, Le Raphaël (where families, friends General Eisenhower installed his headquarters), Le Ritz and Le Bristol (which and lovers to keep was to be used as an anti-gas shelter for Americans in case was bombed). in touch. The The veterans, coming from 13 countries—mainly the United States, Canada American military American soldiers disembarking on Omaha Beach and Great Britain—will receive the Legion of Honor on June 5 in Paris. even created a on the morning of June 6, 1944. U.S. President George W. Bush, French President Jacques Chirac, and microfilm mailing (Courtesy:U.S. Information Service) British Prime Minister Tony Blair, joined by German Chancellor Gerhard system that reduced Schroeder, will meet in June on the Normandy beaches to commemorate the weightand volume of the mail sent by airplanes by up to 98 percent. The the D-day landings. For more information about the ceremonies, please texts, written on special forms, were photographed on 16mm film, mailed, visit www.liberation60.gouv.fr. l l

1 En bref current events L’ÉVÉNEMENT

CHIRAC CALLS FOR "FRIENDSHIP TREATY" WITH ALGERIA On April 15, French President Jacques Chirac became the first foreign head of "Vive la Reine!" state to visit Algeria following President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s re-election. The two leaders reviewed the progress made in implementing last year's Algiers Declaration, in which the two nations vowed to boost their political, econom- ic, cultural and scientific cooperation. Chirac announced his desire to further strengthen these bilateral ties through the signing of a treaty of friendship between Algeria and Paris. Such a treaty, similar to the 1963 Elysée Treaty between France and Germany, would help the two nations move past the trau- matic experience of the Algerian war. President Jacques Chirac and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Oran. (Photo courtesy:Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

CHIRAC VISITS RUSSIAN SATELLITE COMMAND SITE President Jacques Chirac accompanies French President Jacques Chirac Defense Minister in Haiti British Queen Elizabeth II to her became on April 10 the first Western Michèle Alliot-Marie Visits French Troops in Haiti country’s Embassy in Paris. leader to visit Krasnoznamensk, the (Courtesy:Ministry of Foreign Affairs) top secret space center 25 miles west of Moscow which is the control point HILE VISITING HAITI in mid-April, French Bertrand During her state visit to France (April for all of Russia's satellites, including Defense Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie high- Aristide. 5-7), Britain's Queen Elizabeth II advocat- its military satellites, and which also lighted the Franco-American cooperation Both the ed a strengthening of the relations serves as the launch center for taking place in the Caribbean nation. United States between her nation and France. Noting Russia's intercontinental ballistic mis- WAccording to Alliot-Marie, the joint peacekeeping being and France the past history between the two coun- siles. Russian President Vladimir Putin carried out by 2,000 American troops and 1,000 French have strong tries, she emphasized that the two have said his decision to invite Chirac to legionnaires and gendarmes in Haiti testifies to the close ties with the had excellent relations since 1815. French the site should "point to Russia's President Jacques Chirac agreed, adding transparency and openness in securi- relationship between the two countries. island nation that “the durability, depth and diversity ty matters." Russia is currently work- Alliot-Marie affirmed that the French forces "are con- of Haiti. A of our ties overcome our divergences.” ing on a plan that would improve its tributing to the restoration of excellent relations between former Recent polls carried out by BCA-ICM satellite-based early warning defense France and the United States after the tensions which exist- French colony show that a majority of each country's systems. ed between the two countries [during the Iraqi crisis]." She which gained population trusts the inhabitants of the added that the joint operation in Haiti has provided the its indepen- other, thus bringing new meaning to the FRANCE SUPPORTS SPAIN’S world with a renewed "demonstration of the partnership dence in CANDIDATE FOR IMF phrase Entente Cordiale. The French government threw its sup- and alliance which has existed for many years" between 1803, Haiti port behind Spain's finance minister France and the United States. retains many elements of French influence—Creole, Haiti's Rodrigo Rato as its preferred candi- The defense minister also lauded the French troops' language, is derived from French for instance. Because of date to head the International contributions to bringing peace and stability to Haiti, Haiti's proximity to the United States, the two also have a long Monetary Fund (IMF). France had ini- which is nevertheless still wracked by crimes such as rack- history of relations. tially proposed Jean Lemierre, but eteering, looting and abductions. Haiti spiraled downward In addition to the French and American troops, 600 withdrew its proposal after Lemierre into a pattern of violence earlier this year which eventual- Canadians and 400 Chileans are stationed in Haiti as part was re-elected president of the ly culminated in the departure of then-President Jean of the multinational peacekeeping operations. l l European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on April 19. A European has tradi- tionally headed the IMF, as Last French Coal Mine Closes its Doors European nations are the main source of its funding. RIDAY, APRIL 23 MARKED THE END of an era to find cleaner and more efficient power sources. In 2002, as France closed its last remaining coal mine, moving there were only three mines left in France, two of which were NEW BRUSSELS definitively into the age of cleaner ener- shut down last year. This move away from THINK TANK F gy sources. With nuclear power already coal is taking place throughout western France, Germany and ten accounting for nearly 80 percent of the coun- Europe, but coal continues to be an impor- other European nations (including Britain, Italy and try's energy needs, and natural gas for most of tant source of energy in countries where it Spain) recently appointed the rest, the closure of the final mine of La can be mined much more cheaply—the French economist Jean Houve, near the eastern town of Creutzwald, United States, for instance, relies on one bil- Pisani-Ferry to set up a new was mainly a symbolic event. lion tons of coal to meet around half of its economic think tank in For some 200 years, coal mining in yearly energy needs. Brussels. The new think France long provided a major source of Looking to the future, financing for tank will bring fresh ideas energy, and employed as many as 200,000 new nuclear reactors using pressurized to the European economic men by the beginning of the 20th century— water (réacteur à eau pressurisée—EPR) is policy debate, with a more peaking at some 300,000 during the recon- already in the works. Minister for the open and international per- struction of post-war Europe. However, the Economy Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking to the spective than existing think tanks. The center, with an age of coal mining began its decline in the National Assembly on April 15, said the The Future of French Energy annual budget of 3.5 million 80's, when France froze new hirings and set new reactor will be "ten times more safe, (Courtesy:European Communities) euros, will initially be funded up early retirement plans for its miners (the ten times less expensive, and will produce by its founding states, but industry had been nationalized following World War II). anywhere from 15 to 30 percent less waste" than reactors Pisani-Ferry will also seek The advent of nuclear power, electric trains, and gas fuels using current technology. This should guarantee an even corporate sponsors. made the coal industry's doom inevitable as the nation sought cleaner future for France's environment. l l 2 IN MEMORY OF A France & America DEDICATED AMERICAN A Maine legislator in the 1960's and early 1970's, Philip Jutras was not only dedicat- ed to the United States. He first experi- Happy Birthday "French Tuesdays!" enced all things French after being born in a French-speaking Canadian family in HE FRENCH, FRANCOPHONE, and fran- ple attended the first meeting, now 400 to 500 regularly Massachusetts. As a soldier in World War cophile communities of recently cele- attend the Tuesday get-togethers. Mostly between the ages of II, he landed on Utah Beach, and soon brated the first anniversary of the French Tuesday 25 and 40, these francophones and francophiles, including found himself in Sainte-Mère-Eglise—the club. Created in March 2003 by two Frenchmen to many young and dynamic members of the French expatriate first French village liberated by American Tbring together these communities community, have formed a group troops in the D-day invasion. In 1972, for evenings of networking à la in which to mingle and feel at while visiting the French family that had française, the club now includes over home. Battu and Amsallem have taken him in during the war, he fell in love 1,500 members. deliberately limited the club's with their daughter, and moved to France Pierre Battu and Gilles membership, in order to maintain a in 1974 to marry her. He also became the Amsallem originally created the minimum level of familiarity and volunteer curator of the French town's D- day museum, built in the early 60's to group in order to give other comfort among the members. commemorate the courage and sacrifice of French nationals in the city that The two leaders are currently France's American liberators. Under his never sleeps a chance to get discussing in which direction to direction, the museum, shaped to resem- together for soirées of "discovery, take the club, but they have already ble a parachute, grew in notoriety, and he personal and professional net- A multifaceted Francophone community proposed certain theme evenings, himself became a well-known spokesper- working." They set up these fran- (Courtesy: French Tuesdays) for instance French Tuesdays dedi- son for U.S. veterans. He even appeared as cophone rendez-vous every two weeks, each time in a dif- cated to fashion or painting. In any case, after a very success- the elderly veteran in the opening scenes ferent location around the city. ful first year, French Tuesdays have become a veritable insti- of Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Soon, francophile Americans started to show up as well, tution in New York's French community. For more informa- Ryan," and he gave President Bush a tour and the club's popularity grew exponentially! Where 50 peo- tion, please visit www.frenchtuesdays.com. l l of Sainte-Mère-Eglise in 2002. In recogni- tion of his contribution to the French- American relationship, Jutras was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1994. He died on Cajun Dictionary Online April 4, at the age of 87, in his adopted town of Sainte-Mère-Eglise. N LOUISIANA, CARS, or voitures, do not run on and standard French, the former is actually just a dialect of the l'essence as they do in France; instead, les chars use la gaso- latter. According to French instructor Amanda LaFleur- AMERICANS IN PARIS, LITERALLY line. These are just two examples of com- Giambrone of Louisiana State University French-American relations are once again I the subject of literature, with the release mon Cajun words which differ from stan- (LSU), "Some people are under the impres- dard French. In March, an online Cajun sion that there's an enormous difference of an anthology entitled Americans in dictionary was launched as part of a new between Cajun and standard French, [but] Paris. Edited by Adam Gopnik, the anthology presents a historical compila- Web site dedicated to the different forms of 80 to 90 percent of the words are the same." tion of Americans who have grown fond French spoken around the world. The new Web site, launched by of the French capital. It includes the Spoken mostly in southern Louisiana, Canadian lexicographer Claude Poirier, Parisian experiences of Americans Cajun French is the language used by offers links to dictionaries of French dialects throughout the ages, including those of descendants of the Acadians, French set- from Francophone regions as diverse as some of the country's founding fathers, tlers from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Quebec and Morocco, Réunion and such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin who were driven out of Canada by the Switzerland. The Cajun resources presented Franklin, and some of America's greatest Keeping the tradition alive British in the mid-eighteenth century. on the site were developed by LaFleur- 19th– and 20th–century artists (Courtesy: Putumayo - cover) Cajun French is distinct from Louisiana Giambrone and researchers at the and writers, such as Mark Twain Creole, though as both were derived from French, they exhib- University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Indiana University. For and F. Scott Fitzgerald. it many similarities. more information, visit www.artsci.lsu.edu/fai/Cajun or AMERICAN SAILOR BEATS Despite significant differences which exist between Cajun www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/bdlp. l l FRENCH RECORD Steve Fossett, an American adven- turer, gained the new world French Electronic Music is in the Air record for sailing around the world on April 5, thereby dethron- FTER NEARLY THREE years, French electronic Coppola's Virgin Suicides soundtrack and that same year, ing past French champion Bruno pop masters Air, a duo formed by the jazzy sound of Playground Love was a Peyron. Fossett and his crew of 12 Jean-Baptiste Dunckel and Nicolas major hit in the United States. internationals (one of whom, A Jacques Vincent, was French) beat Godin, returned to North America for a full- After experimenting with more aggressive the record aboard a 125-foot blown spring 2004 tour. The band is touring styles, the French duo has returned to a happy maxi-catamaran christened to promote their recently released album, balance between the wonderfully droll lushness Cheyenne. Fosset and his team . that saturated and the more textur- completed the journey in 58 days, Air has become renowned for its very spe- al atmospheric music that worked so well as the 9 hours, 32 minutes, and 45 sec- cial musical style, alternating between disco backdrop for Sofia Coppola's feature film debut. onds, beating by almost 6 days sounds and pop music, a mix which gives One of the singles of their new CD, Alone in the record previously set two years their melody both retro and futuristic ele- Kyoto, even appears in Coppola's second movie, ago by Peyron. Fossett can now ments, creating a wonderfully contradictory (Courtesy: Air) Oscar-nominated Lost in Translation, and it add this new record to his reper- tension. The group was created in 1995, but really started reverberates with Japanese-style guitar and strings. toire of 50 other records which he to hit it big after its second album, Moon Safari, came out The 2004 Air live tour started on April 2 in Austin and is holds or has held in the past. His next challenge: to fly nonstop in 1998 (it included the popular singles "Sexy Boy" and to end on May 3 in Oakland, CA. More information on the around the world in a jet, without ""). In 2000, the group recorded Sofia tour is available on the Air Web site, www.intairnet.org. l l refueling. 3 WHAT EXPLAINS FRENCH In Depth Review CINEMA'S SUCCESS PROFIL IN THE U.S.? According to Catherine Verret, director of the American branch of Unifrance (www.unifrance.org), an organization in charge of promoting FFrreenncchh FFiillmm HHiitsts inin UU..S.S. French cinema abroad, the success is There seems to be a new passion in the U.S.—and it is not Mel Gibson's version. For the past ten years, the pop- explained "thanks to movies that ularity of French cinema in the United States has been increasing remarkably. In the late 1990's, critics were proved to be original," and to the skill already talking about a "New, New Wave of French Cinema." "Amélie," which enchanted millions of Americans of the directors and producers who after the gloomy period following 9-11, embodied this intensifying filmed them. Many of them, such as THE REST OF THE BEST success, which was subsequently confirmed by other French movies. ("The Fifth Element," star- "L'Auberge Espagnole" $3.8 million ring ), “8 Women” $3 million ("The Crimson Rivers"), François Ozon A Succession of Successes "" $2.4 million. ("Swimming Pool"), Mathieu Kassovitz "Monsieur Ibrahim" ~$2 million. ("Gothika," starring Halle Berry), and VER THE PAST FEW YEARS, and notably Palme d'Or in "Irréversible" ~$1 million. Florent Emilio Siri ("Hostage," again thanks to Jean-Pierre Jeunet's "Amélie" (2001), fea- Cannes. "To Be and to Have" ~$1 million. with Bruce Willis—who reportedly con- turing the adorable Audrey Tautou, the number of Many may "And Now Ladies and Gentlemen" ~$1 million. tacted the French director himself!) are "Bon Voyage" Just released! French films released in the U.S. has dramatically notrealize shooting their movies in English with Oincreased, while the income they generate has more than that the imaginative "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," American actors, and thus broadening their audience. Though they have doubled. starring Jim Carrey and , was directed and co- adopted English, the world's lingua With $34 million in U.S. profit, "Amélie" holds the record written by Frenchman Michel Gondry. Having only debuted franca, these French directors and pro- for the most revenue earned by a movie made in French. As since late March, the film has already raked in $28 million in ducers continue to uphold the French the U.S. and can be seen in 575 different theaters across the cinematographic tradition of bold, sexy, nation. and sophisticated films. Louis Le Terrier and Corey Yuen's "The Transporter" was Such new and innovative written by Luc Besson and showcased on 2,573 screens. The approaches seem to have made film has earned $25 million Americans more aware of France's cin- to date in the States and can ematic savoir-faire—regardless of whether the film is in English or in be found gracing a plethora French. Furthermore, film distributors, of cable channels. who traditionally privilege Hollywood's 's high-profile, money-making block- French language film, "The busters, are becoming less reluctant to Botherhood of the Wolves," showcase more original films as their has earned $11 million theaters become ever bigger. Indeed, Jacques Perrin's Academy Award-nominated docu- since its release in the States movie enthusiasts are beginning to find mentary "Winged Migration" made 7.6 million. and has been nominated it easier to watch flicks that offer more (Courtesy: Sony Pictures Classics) for dozens of American than "Dude, Where's my Car"-like for the biggest success for a French movie made in English, film awards. material without having to venture to their nearest artsy-fartsy film house.l l acclaimed French director Luc Besson holds that honor for The French animation "The Fifth Element," starring Bruce Willis. The film, which sensation, "The Triplets of François Ozon co-wrote Besson also wrote, made more than $63 million in the Belleville," written and and directed "Swimming FRFRANCE GOES United States. directed by Sylvain Pool," a French thriller that HOLLYWOOD IN Other recent Chomet, captivated the has grossed more EVERY WAY examples of fantastic audiences of 463 theaters than $10 million. Famed director Luc Besson is in French flicks that across the States and made (Courtesy: Focus Features - the process of creating were embraced on almost $7 million (see our François Ozon) France's version of Hollywood. U.S. turf include review in NFF 03.14). Along with commercial success came The $100 million project, slat- "The Pianist," direct- a deluge of U.S. awards and nominations, including an acco- ed for completion in 2006, will ed by Roman lade from the New York Film Critics' Circle, which named it convert a factory located in Saint-Denis, a suburb just Polanski and shot in 2003's "Best Animated Movie." Not bad for a movie with north of Paris, into a world- English. This only 3 sentences of dialogue! class studio. City officials hope Holocaust drama Adorable Audrey this will in turn attract other attracted five million Tautou in “Amélie,” movie companies to set up people and generat- the highest grossing shop in the area. Besson's rea- ed $33 million in the French film to grace son for taking on such an in the United States. It also U.S. screens. ambitious undertaking? "I am “Brotherhood of the Wolf” won three Academy (Courtesy: Miramax Films) attempting to bring to French (Courtesy: MCA / ) awards, and a French Due in part to the success of these movies, the United States cinema what my adventures has become the largest market for French cinema abroad. A [abroad] have enabled me to For more information on French films, visit do… to provide the opportuni- www.imdb.com. And be sure to check out the record 37 French films and 21 co-productions were released in ty for other French directors to upcoming Festival de Cannes's site at www.festival- the United States in 2003, grossing an all-time high of $67 mil- work with complete freedom." cannes.org (we'll cover the 2004 edition of the world- lion. This year, 16 French films have already been released with renowned festival in NFF 04.06). an additional 50 expected from now until early 2005. l l

4 Note: all earnings mentioned are from the U.S. market alone, and do not include the rest of the film-going world. Economic News GREEN LIGHT FOR ALITALIA- TECHNOLOGIE AIR FRANCE ALLIANCE On April 7, the European Union's com- petition authorities gave their blessing to an alliance between Air France and Alitalia (Italy's main airliner), provided the Sarkozy to Tackle Deficits, Unemployment two relinquish some of their flight slots The French finance minister met with several top U.S. officials during his stay in D.C. between France and Italy so as to ensure an adequate level of competition in the market. Such an alliance will better posi- RENCH FINANCE MINISTER Nicolas Sarkozy reviewing all state spending. Spending which fosters future eco- tion the two companies to face a persis- was in Washington, D.C., on April 23 for the spring nomic activity will be maintained or increased, while all other tently morose travel climate, and may meetings of the World Bank and International spending may be subject to cuts. According to Sarkozy, deficit eventually lead to a merger between the Monetary Fund. Sarkozy also met with a number of reduction is so important to future growth that "there will be two. Indeed, Alitalia has expressed a Ftop American officials, including National Security Advisor no taboos," when decisions are made to cut spending. strong interest in joining the new Air Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Additionally, the further privatization of public indus- France-KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) group the Treasury John Snow, and Federal Reserve Chairman Alan tries will be pursued, as will policies promoting competi- that is currently being formed. Greenspan. Sarkozy, who was minister of the interior until a tion. Sarkozy is also considering selling government prop- recent cabinet reshuffle, has worked closely with the American erty holdings and gold from the Bank of France to reduce NEW MAMMOTH DISCOVERED A French expedition, led by paleontolo- government on issues related to security and terrorism. debt. Confident that his measures will improve France's gist Yves Coppens, is in the midst of As the new minister of finance, Sarkozy has announced that economic position, he explained "We must manage the uncovering a mammoth named Yukagir his top priorities are to increase job growth and reduce the gov- affairs of State as the head of a family would … in a rea- who died around 18,560 years ago at ernment's deficit. Sarkozy intends to meet these goals by sonable way. No ideology." l l the age of 40. This will be the first time a mammoth will be exhumed from the tundra with its full coat. The male mam- moth began to emerge from a Siberian Laser Keeps Birds off French Runways river bank in late 2002, but it was only AVE YOU EVER WONDERED what would hap- collisions because of its proximity to the Camargue marshes this spring that his recovery has proved feasible. Yukagir is sure to reveal a good pen if a bird got sucked into an airplane engine during (the area's flocks enjoy congregating on the airport's runways deal of information about the environ- takeoff? Well, it happens surprisingly often, and it is when the water's surface becomes too choppy). Twenty cen- H ment in which he lived. Indeed, not only quite damaging (both to the bird timeters wide and with a range will he emerge with a full coat, but also and the plane). While these inci- of two kilometers, the laser con- with a head, a number of muscles, a dents rarely result in human fatali- tinually sweeps the runway. complete forefoot and a majority of his ties, they do provoke expensive When touching a bird, the beam digestive system intact. damage to the plane's engine: the gives the equivalent of a slight, price to replace a single blade of but totally harmless, blow, thus ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE A380 The construction of the future Airbus the engine's reactor amounts to chasing it away. A380—which is to become the world's around $32,000, while the cost of Unfortunately, the laser relies largest passenger jet—is one step clos- repairing an entire engine can eas- on water droplets in the air to er to fruition. The cockpit and both sec- ily exceed $1.5 million. Many tech- work, so it is ineffective on sunny tions of the middle and rear fuselages niques are therefore being days. However, unlike traditional arrived on April 8, after much anticipa- employed to keep birds off run- bird-chasing methods involving tion, at the final assembly plant in ways, but French researchers, loud noises, the birds do not Blagnac, near Toulouse (where inspired by Dr. Evil's nefarious plots in the Austin Powers movies, grow tolerant of them, and the laser does not disturb neigh- Airbus's headquarters are have come up with a novel one: a robot-controlled laser beam. boring humans. In addition, at a price of 100,000 euros, they located), where the convoy This laser was tested for the first time at an airport in are a relative bargain, representing only one-third of was met with much applause. If all goes according to plan, Montpellier, home to a tenth of France's annual bird-plane Montpellier airport's total budget for fowl control. l l the plane will be completed by May 28. This first prototype will not fly, however, undergo- Feline Friends Go Way Back ing instead tests to verify the plane's durability. T'S NO SECRET THAT CATS are one of the most on the island. Guilaine emphasized that while the cat his team ancient domesticated animals, but recent discoveries show discovered was certainly not wild, it is impossible to conclude QUEEN MARY II'S "FLAVOR OF FRANCE" them to be even more ancient than previously believed, by a with certainty that it was fully domesticated (he preferred to I Sixty-seven years after its elder whopping 5,000 years. French archeologists describe it as tame). sibling, Queen Mary, sailed, working in Cyprus, under the direction of Dr. Jean-Denis Vigne, of the National Queen Mary II—the largest pas- Jean Guilaine of the Collège de France, Museum of Natural History in Paris, senger ship in the world—made found the skeleton of a cat lying alongside stated that the numerous offerings in the a stop in Cherbourg, France, on that of a Neolithic man buried with sev- tomb suggest the person buried was of April 14 during its first eral offerings. While previous research particular importance in his village. In European tour, entitled "Flavor indicated that cats had been domesticated addition, since the cat's bones were of France." Built in France, the as early as 2,000 B.C. in Egypt, scientists found a mere 20 cm from the man, one behemoth is 345 meters long, date the new finding back to 7,000 or even 7,500 B.C. can assume that they were meant to be buried together. This 45 wide, and 74 high, and has a crew complement of 1,300. It The discovery was made at the site of the Stone Age village of proximity suggests not only a strong tie between man and can transport 2,600 passengers, Shillourokambos in Cyprus. As there were no native feline feline, but also implies a strong spiritual tie between cats and who can while the time away in species on Cyprus 9,000 years ago, man must have brought the the afterworld, as the cat was quite possibly believed to its theater, lounge, library of animal over from the continent, presumably to combat the mice accompany the man after his death. l l about 8,500 works, or spa. 5 Kapur's "Elizabeth," which starred Cate Blanchett. Other cel- ebrated unions include Gerard Depardieu with Glen Close in "102 Dalmatians" and with Leonardo DeCaprio in "The Man in the Iron Mask." Beloved has starred FRENCH WATCH MORE TV in "The English Patient" with and "Chocolat" THAN AMERICANS with . And let us not forget Jean Reno and his A recent study shows that the average unforgettable roles in "The Professional," "Mission French citizen spends 3 hours and 22 Impossible," "French Kiss," and "Ronin" (the last alongside minutes watching the television every American icon ) and the unforgettable Olivier High Ratings for day. The French thus seem to be big- Martinez, who starred with Diane Lane in the sexy thriller, ger fans of the tube than Americans: a "Unfaithful." taining to the AIDS similar study conducted in March by epidemic. the University of California, Berkeley, "Since they no longer hear found that Americans watch an aver- ESPITE about AIDS, people have been age of 2 hours and 50 minutes of tele- THE under the impression that the vision a day. Sitcoms and movies, and fictional programs in general, rated FACT epidemic is over," explained the highest among the French, with CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP THAT Doctor Christine Rouzioux. In DFrench television order to give the French a wake- documentaries and reality television BUCKS SLOW GROWTH TREND coming in a close second, and French business continues to show its channels TF1, up call, the TV stations decided to unite their forces, and took news programs coming in third. strong support for charitable work and cul- France 2, France 3, turns broadcasting AIDS-related programs over the three-day tural initiatives, despite the economic slow- France 5, Canal +, period. Viewers could choose from a variety of different DIVORCE LAW REFORM down. The 15th annual survey of corporate M6 and Arte are shows, including documentaries, programming for children New legislation voted on April 14 by sponsorship, released on April 20 by usually in the midst and adults, telethons to raise money for the cause, news the National Assembly removed adul- Admical, showed that corporate sponsor- tery as automatic grounds for divorce. of fierce competi- reports and testimonials. One particularly successful program ship remained stable throughout 2002 Legislators believed such a statute was tion, all rivalries was "Artists against AIDS," which highlighted French rock compared with 2001. President of Admical archaic, and they also hope to bring were cast aside on star Pascal Obispo. Jacques Rigaud declared, "The simple fact an end to ugly court scenes bearing April 23 through Minister of Culture and Communication Jean-Jacques that corporate sponsorship has been main- witness to alleged adultery. The new April 25 for a com- Aillagon insisted that, "The television channels did not act tained despite a difficult economic climate divorce law continues to recognize demonstrates that it is no longer considered mon goal: the dis- under government pressure. It was through a voluntary, civic- domestic violence or "breaches of a luxury, but truly seen as a long-term com- semination of minded initiative that action was taken." Sidaction, the asso- marital obligations" as grounds for a mitment." Companies spent 343 million information per- ciation that initially proposed the campaign, has brought in divorce, and it greatly simplifies proce- euros in 2002, primarily on cultural spon- dures, particularly in the case of sorship, but also to support local charities divorce by mutual consent. and the environment. Rigaud expressed his Eco-Friendly Steps for Exotic Woods FRANCE EARNS SPOT IN confidence that a 2003 law providing addi- RENCH wood imported by France goes to the public market. Only 1 to DAVIS CUP SEMIFINALS tional tax incentives to corporate sponsors Minister for 2 percent of the wood sold through this channel is currently On April 11, France's Nicolas will help bolster their spending. Ecology Serge eco-certified. Escudé defeated Switzerland's F Lepeltier recently unveiled a national action plan to help pre- To fight against Michel Kratochvil 3-2 in the decisive serve tropical forests that are currently in danger of extinction illegal wood final match of the Davis Cup quarterfi- throughout the world. The plan specifies that by 2010, 100 imports, the nals, guaranteeing France a spot in the percent of the wood bought by France will be eco-certified, action plan semifinals this coming September. The result also moved France to the num- meaning that it will originate from forests managed in an insists on strict ber 1 position in the ITF Davis Cup environmentally respectful manner. And by January 2005, customs con- Nations ranking. In September, France French customers will start seeing labels on certain pieces of trols and spe- will face Spain, whose team eliminated furniture guaranteeing their eco-friendly origins. cific environ- the Netherlands in their France is one of Europe's biggest tropical wood importers mental criteria quarterfinal match. The and can therefore play an important role in the protection of for public pur- Paradise Saved (Courtesy: Markus Koch) other two semifinalists are tropical forests. Indeed, some of the country's biggest compa- chases. the United States and nies (Bolloré, Pinault, Lapeyre, for example) are involved in Tropical forests—home to 80 percent of the Earth's plant Belarus. The final will be the trade of tropical hardwoods. Moreover, France owns the and animal species and thus the planet’s main source of bio- played in December. largest tropical forest of any industrialized nation—8 millions diversity—are severely endangered. They are shrinking by 1 FRENCH LOTTO ONLINE hectares—through its overseas territories. percent every year and environmental associations claim that French lotto fans no longer According to Greenpeace, one-quarter of the tropical they may disappear altogether within 50 years. l l need to leave the comfort of their homes to try their luck at the loto. At www.fdjeux.com, registered users over the age FRANCE IS FOR LOVERS of 18 may now set up a per- The French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP) saw the celebration of sonal account allowing them Easter as an opportunity to poll the French on their beliefs and values, both to play online, although no religious and secular. Paris has long been recognized as a city for lovers, and bet may be less than 10 euros the French have a time-honored, and many believe merited, reputation for or more than 500 euros. being romantics. The study, released on April 10, seems to prove the stereo- Administrators claim that the type correct, finding that 96 percent of the French believe in, and value, online system will allow them love—making it the most widely held ideal in France. It is followed by hap- to better regulate the amount piness (with 92 percent), forgiveness and success (88 percent each), peace one person can spend, thus (75 percent) and money (68 percent). reducing the likelihood that Religious values were somewhat less widespread. IFOP reports that 55 per- users will become dependent cent of the French believe in God (compared with 66 percent in 1947), and 37 on the games. The site Le Baiser de L'Hotel De Ville, 1950 percent believe in heaven and hell. Jesus is the religious figure most believed in, includes both drawings and (Photo by Robert Doisneau) with 55 percent of the French professing their belief in him, followed by scratch-and-win games, and Buddha (7 percent), Luther, Mohammed, and Moses (3 percent each). 6 will also allow sporting bets. les coups d’oeil Cultural Highlights CULTURE NOTRE DAME RESTORED A Christmas storm with hurricane force winds in 1999 caused damage all Saint-Exupéry's Plane Discovered around the French capital, and Notre Dame Cathedral was not spared. Work Le Petit ’s author died when his fighter crashed off France's coast during World War II. has been under way ever since and the scaffolding will finally come down in the FTER 60 YEARS, one of the world's greatest mys- Despite the skepticism surrounding the authenticity of the first week of May, if all goes according teries was solved when the plane of bracelet, this discovery jogged the memory of to plan. During the 974,000-euro pro- French author and aviator Antoine a local scuba diver, Luc Vanrell, who remem- ject, 12 stone carvers and 6 sculptors de Saint-Exupéry was found just off bered having seen plane debris in the same helped to remake the large stone pieces that fell in 1999, while 14 other artists Athe coast of Provence. Pieces of the wreckage area some ten years before. did the detail work to identically restore were brought up for analysis last fall, but it was Once France's Cultural Ministry granted the figures and decorations. Several not until April 7 that experts confirmed their permission, the remaining pieces were brought problems unrelated to the storm were origin. The mystery surrounding the disap- to the surface for examination. Only about 10 identified and addressed during the ren- pearance of Saint-Exupéry, best known for his percent of the plane was recovered, but a tail ovations, with the result that Notre book of international acclaim, Le Petit Prince piece with a tiny serial number, 2734 L—the Dame has never been in better shape! ("The Little Prince"), had reached mythic pro- same as Saint-Exupéry's plane—provided the portions and was the subject of many wild final piece of indisputable evidence. However, COGNAC FILM FESTIVAL: U.S. speculations. fans wanting to keep the mystery alive need not AND ASIA IN THE LIMELIGHT Last seen boarding his plane in Corsica for be disappointed, as experts say there is still no Cognac's 22nd edition of its Film Policier (Detective Movie) Festival, held earlier a mission to the Rhone River Valley on July 31, way of knowing why the plane went down. this month, saw a high percentage of 1944, no further trace was found of Saint- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry The recovered pieces will be on display American and Asian entries. Among the (courtesy:Embassy of France) Exupéry until 1998 when a bracelet bearing before the end of the year at the Bourget 12 feature films in competition, 4 were his name turned up in a fisherman's net near Marseilles. Air and Space Museum in Paris. l l American and 4 from Asia. , a French rock star, was a mem- ber of the jury judging the films. The Black is Beautiful Grand Prize went to South Korea's Bong Joon Hu for the film "Memories of ACH RACE HAS ITS OWN BEAUTY," wrote beauty, and not only in terms of political and social rights. He Murder," and America's Wayne Kramer Charles Cordier, a French sculptor born in 1827. Such a portrayed Africans that he admired not only for their physical won the jury's prize for "The Cooler." Estatement was, sadly, ahead of its time, as many beauty, but also for their dignity despite the suffering they had PARIS 1400 AD “ Europeans still regarded people from Africa as members of an experienced as slaves. For him, black people were human A new exhibit at the Louvre in Paris inferior race. Cordier, however, was a precursor of a more beings, and not mere curiosities for the entertainment of white examines the capital's history during the modern, more enlightened mindset. His artwork was deeply men—as they were still largely seen at the time. Indeed, despite 1400s, a period dominated by the influenced by the abolition of slavery in France in 1848. In fact, its artistic value, his work was originally acquired by the Hundred Years' War. With over 270 his first model was a Sudanese who had traveled as a slave Museum of Natural History. Cordier found further inspiration pieces on display, including manuscripts, through Turkey, Italy and Russia and had become a model during the various trips he made to Egypt, Greece and Algeria, paintings, sculptures, weapons, and tex- after he was freed in France. According to Cordier, the first where he moved to in 1890 and died in 1905. tiles (among many more), the exhibit demonstrates that despite the ongoing exhibit of the Sudanese man's bust in Paris "was a revelation The Musée d'Orsay will hold an exhibit of Cordier's work in war, Paris remained at the forefront of for the whole artistic world," because his approach reflected a April 2004, and it will then move to Quebec between June and artistic innovation, often through the new debate in the wake of the antislavery movement. September and then on to New York from October until January contributions of the many immigrants it Cordier wanted to show the equality of races in terms of 2005. Please visit www.musee-orsay.fr for more information.l l attracted. For more information: www.louvre.fr. The Forerunners of Photography BRIGITTE BARDOT DVD Brigitte Bardot, French icon of The Musée Marmottan Monet will showcase 220 photos from the 1839-1918 period the 60's, released a new DVD in April entitled Divine BB. OR THE FIRST TIME in its history, see historical documents such as the first Three re-mastered shows from the 60's, comprising 34 of her the Institut de France will present astronomical pictures of the moon, taken in songs, will be on the DVD, Fsome of the most remarkable pieces 1857, the geological work conducted by including duets with Serge from its exceptional photography collection. Aimé Civial (with his 1860 photographs of Gainsbourg and Sacha Distel, Its collection is characterized not only by its the Alps), the archeological discovery of the as well as excerpts from a doc- historical significance (it includes some very Antinous temple in 1894, and the first X- umentary on her Brigitte old documents that bear witness to impor- rays taken of the human body in 1896. The Bardot Show. tant milestones in the history of photogra- exhibition shows not only the photographs, phy) but also by its quantitative importance but also the hopes, disappointments and "FLORAL ADVENTURES" (it consists of around 40,000 photographs goals of the field's first practitioners, includ- The Parc des Expositions de la Beaujoire in Nantes is home to and countless antique items), by its esthetic ing Daguerre, Niépce, Talbot, and Bayard, this year's International Flower qualities, and, finally, by its very eclectic the founding fathers of photography. A A trailblazer Show. The theme for 2004 is nature (the collection encompasses scientific selection of their letters brings their (Courtesy:Institut de France - "Floral Adventures," and visitors photos, portraits, war reporting, and land- thoughts and desires to life. Schlumberger) will be invited to explore the his- scapes). The exhibit, which runs until June 27, is tory and origins of the featured Because displaying all 40,000 photos would clearly have without a doubt a must-see for amateur photographers. For plants and to admire their stun- been impossible, a sampling of 220 of those dating from the more information, please visit www.marmottan.com or ning beauty from May 7 to May 1839-1918 period were selected for the exhibition. Visitors can www.institut-de-france.fr. l l 17. For more information visit www.comite-des-floralies.com. 7 in brief France in America CHEZ NOUS

THE CHANGING GARDEN The University of Michigan Museum of Art has unveiled an exceptional and refreshing exhibition combining art and nature. Entitled "The Changing Garden: Four Centuries of European and American Art," the exhibition has been pre- sented to the public since March in Ann Arbor and will go through May 23. Through prints, drawings, illustrated books, photographs, and several paintings, the show traces the changing tastes and aesthetics of European and American gardens from Louis XIV's Versailles to New York City's Central Park and San Francisco's Crissy Field. The exhibit features more than 150 works depicting public and private gardens by nearly 100 artists, including many French ones such as Bonnard, Daumier, Fragonard and Pissarro. The museum also offers many Garden of the Tuileries in Winter, diverse activities in conjunction with the exhibition, such as family guided tours or public lectures and talks. For more 1900, Camille Pissarro information, please visit www.umma.umich.edu. (Courtesy: University of Michigan Museum of Art) "Manet and the Sea" News from FRANCE The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a unique take on Manet’s work

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART'S exhibi- distinctive treatment of water. The "Beach at Boulogne," "On Nathalie Loiseau tion, "Manet and the Sea," is an innovative grouping of the Beach," and "Venice–The Grand Canal" are just three of his works by one of impressionism's best known artists seascapes being showcased in Philadelphia. Renoir's "Sunset EDITOR (indeed, Manet's at Sea" and Monet's Emmanuel Gagniarre 18T63 "Le déjeuner sur "Garden at Sainte-Adresse" MANAGING EDITOR l'herbe" is considered one are also on display Amaury Laporte of the first impressionist Trips to the sea were paintings). The 19th–cen- important to 19th–century SENIOR WRITER Aude Rabault tury art movement, char- Europeans, who considered it acterized by the use of good for one's health to occa- WRITERS light, loose brushwork, flu- sionally take in the air and get Nicolas Blarel, Michelle Hardy, Goranka Cop Henegar, Carine Morin, Lisa Petzold, idity, and pastel colors, has out of the city. With the Aida Senna, Angela Stowell, Susan long been celebrated for its development of railroads in Swihart, Travis Valentine landscapes. This exhibit, France during the late On the Beach at Boulogne, 1869, Edouard Manet, To change your address, subscribe (for produced by the 19th–century, vacations to (Courtesy: Frantisek Hakl) free) or unsubscribe, please contact: Philadelphia Museum of the sea also became much FRENCH EMBASSY PRESS & Art in conjunction with the Art Institute of Chicago and the more convenient, and thereby increasingly popular as a getaway INFORMATION SERVICE 4101 Reservoir Road, NW Van Gogh Museum of Amsterdam, takes a novel, unique for the upper classes from the hectic affairs of city life. This gave Washington, DC 20007-2182 approach by focusing on the sea through an exhibit of the Manet, during his many excursions to the coast, the opportuni- Tel: (202) 944-6060 Fax: (202) 944-6072 marine paintings of Edouard Manet. ty to paint not only the sea, but also the high society of his age. E-mail: "Manet and the Sea" groups together the major works on the With close to one hundred works, including paintings, [email protected] sea and water by Manet, as well as works by Gustave Courbet, watercolors and drawings, the Philadelphia Museum of Art's http://www.ambafrance-us.org Eugene Boudin, James McNeill Whistler and fellow impression- "Manet and the Sea" is an innovative exhibit of impressionism http://www.france.diplomatie.fr ists Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Berthe Morisot. Manet, and its vision of water. In Philadelphia until May 31 before trav- an avid sailor and a frequent visitor of France's coastal areas, was eling on to Amsterdam, "Manet and the Sea" is not to be missed! particularly influential on the emerging movement through his For more information, please visit www.philamuseum.org. l l

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