Paris Where You Are

Introducing Paris to Children

I set out to find a new ensemble for an upcoming interview and ended up discovering all-manner of clever things for Harper Marie (my soon-to-be-born step-granddaughter)—mostly books—for which she is years away from being ready.

I bet most of you didn’t know (or care) that Anthropologie has a children’s section--small, but with a nice variety of merchandise, including an interesting collection of children’s books.  What first caught my eye was a pop-up version of Le Petit Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery).  I know, a pop-up version sounds kind of awful . . . and it actually was kind of awful.  But there was also a charming little book, originally published in the 1930s, called Manners Can Be Fun (Munro Leaf).   As I stand on the edge of becoming a step-grandmother, I hear this book calling to me, and apparently, so have many other grandmothers.  If you take a look at the reviewers' comments on Amazon, a number of them mention with fondness their grandmothers’ role in bringing this book into their lives. 

The back flap of the dust jacket recommended three other titles:  This is London, This is New York, and . . . This is Paris.  My heart leaped!  I had forgotten about this series by Miroslav Sasek , introducing world travel to children.   Barnes and Noble was only a few stores away.  I knew that title had to be on the children’s bookshelf in my new house. 

My son, Joseph, was a late talker, but I distinctly remember hearing him say “Eiffel Tower.”  One of the books we frequently read together was Babar Loses His Crown (Laurent de Brunhoff).  In this particular adventure, Babar (the elephant king) and his entire family are taking a trip to Paris.  His crown goes missing but turns up at the Paris Opera.  In pursuit of the crown, the family makes its way around to various Paris landmarks, including the top of the Eiffel Tower. 

All of these children’s books related to Paris and a civilized life brought to mind another favorite—Madeline (Ludwig Bemelmans).  Those of us of a certain age may recall seeing a film version of Madeline on television.  Its earliest appearance was in 1952 as a short subject film in theaters.  It was nominated for an Academy Award (best short subject—cartoons) but lost to a Tom and Jerry cartoon (sigh). 

I’m sure none of you is surprised that some of my favorite children’s books have a French connection.   Poor Harper Marie; I’m afraid her fate is sealed.  Well, maybe not.  I don't think anyone would mistake Joseph for a Francophile, nor is he known for his manners.  (Heavier sigh)

 

 

Paris Je T'aime--The Wonder of Traveling Alone to Paris

If you have not seen the lovely little film, Paris Je T'aime, I highly recommend it.  Actually, it is a series of shorts about various Paris arrondissements filmed by some of the world's most talented directors. My favorite segment is the one directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways, About Schmidt).  

Narrated in rough yet charming French (with subtitles), an American letter carrier from Denver who has traveled to Paris alone for an adventure, reads aloud from an essay she has written about her trip.  As she reads in a rather deadpan voice, the camera follows her around Paris.  The final scene in a small park is absolutely exquisite.  Like the segment's main character, I traveled alone to Paris for adventure and inspiration, and I had a nearly identical feeling.  

Stop what you are doing--RIGHT NOW!  Watch the segment on YouTube.  You will not be disappointed.  

Julie and Julia--The Movie and Wine Tasting Event

By now you have seen the movie trailer for Julie and Julia  which opens with Meryl Streep channeling the spirit of Julia Child.  How else do you explain the near perfect imitation of that unmistakeable voice cackling, "I'm Julia Child.  Bon appetit?"  It is remarkable.  I can't wait to see the entire film . . . 

But for the sake of a truly Paris Where You Are experience--wait is exactly what I'm going to do.  The film opens on August 7 but I won't be seeing it until August 14; and I hope you too will wait and join me and fav foodie Nicole Bullock for a fabulous evening of French cooking (via the film) followed by witty conversation over a glass of wine at the Calais Winery in Deep Ellum. (More details at the bottom of this blog post.)

The film's screenplay by Nora Ephron (whose absolutely hilarious book I Feel Bad About My Neck figures prominently in my first trip to Paris) is based on two books--My Life in France, Julia Child's memoir about her earliest days in France, including her education at Le Cordon Bleu and the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and Julie Powell's Julie and Julia, a record of the author's project to cook all 524 MtAoFC recipes in 365 days.

When I returned from my first trip to Paris, I did two things to extend the experience.  First, I rented The Da Vinci Code and savored every Paris street scene.  "I was there!" I thought thrillingly as I watched Tom Hanks in speeding cars round narrow Paris street corners.  Next, I purchased Julia Child's My Life in France. Now that I think about it, those two actions might very possibly be considered my first attempt to create a Paris Where You Are experience.  An historic moment duly noted!

Julia Child's memoir is set in post-war Paris, 1948-54.  Paris in nearly any era is remarkable, but post-war Paris is the birthplace of the term film noir.  We don't often think of Paris as a dangerous place, but French film noir sets the record straight.  Wikipedia says the most famous French film noir is Rififi about a burglary at a jewelry shop in the Rue de Rivoli. "The climax of the film is an intricate half hour heist scene depicting the crime in detail, shot in near silence, without dialogue or music.  The fictional burglary has been mimicked by criminals in actual crimes around the world."  I checked, Rififi is available on Netflix.  I'm definitely putting this classic on my "to rent" list. 

Julia's memoir is worth the purchase price for the photos, if for nothing else.  One of my favorite shots is a solitary Julia hunched over to light a cigarette against a blank alley wall (p. 171 in the paperback edition).  Publication of MtAoFC was nothing short of miraculous.  I'm in awe of Julia's ability to collaborate cross-culturally with two chefs on the project--and not just your run-of-the-mill tempermental chef, mind you--these were two French chefs.  In the abstract, who would ever think such a thing could work?

My alter ego, Fowl with Pearls, has turned in the following comments about Julie Powell's Julie and Julia.

Since Julie Powell is a Texan (from my beloved Austin, as a matter of fact), I'd love to give her a pass; but I must tell you, I cannot, in good conscious, ring the bell on her behalf. Powell is an energetic writer, but when she begins to run out of steam she is very likely to throw in the f word to keep things moving.  My husband and I once went to a comedy club on Sixth Street in Austin with my sister and niece.  The weekday comics we endured that evening were memorably lame.  As my husband put it, "Mostly sex and snot jokes." That's rather how I feel about Powell--perhaps not that strong.  She's funny but borders on being crude.  A good example is her Salon.com  posting on the death of Julia Child.  Is it really necessary to write f---ing in such a tribute?  Nevertheless, I think you will find it amusing.

Since I am over 50, I feel compelled to say that I am not universally opposed to the use of crude phrases. Properly selected and timed, they can give readers a needed jolt, but only the stupidest of readers require regular use of the cattle prod.

Thank you, Madame, for your comments.

EVENT DETAILS:  I've called the Angelika--we won't be able to know the exact time of the film until Wednesday, August 12.  If you are interested in joining us, check the blog for the details as they develop. More to follow.  Would you prefer to do wine first and then film or film and then wine?  Let me know. We can always amend our plans.