Domestic abuse film ‘Custody’ sweeps board at France’s Cesar awards

“Custody”, a film about domestic violence and a divorced couple’s battle over their son, was the big winner at the “French Oscars” — the Cesars — on Friday, where veteran US actor and director Robert Redford was presented with an honorary award.

Released in France under its original title of “Jusqu’à la garde”, “Custody” is director Xavier Legrand’s first feature-length movie and took home four awards including best film and best original screenplay.

It also earned a best leading actress award for Lea Drucker, who plays Miriam, a brave but fragile mother struggling to recover after her separation and fighting to protect her son from his violent father.

“When we made the film in 2016, 123 women were killed by their partner or ex-partner” in France, Legrand said as he picked up his award.

“Since January 1, 2019, 25 women have been killed, which means we’ve gone from one woman every three days, as it was in 2016, to one every two days.”

The awards ceremony, the biggest of its kind recognising French cinema, is now in its 44th year and was held at a glittering gala celebration in Paris.

“I would like to dedicate this award to all the Miriams, all the women who are not living a fiction but a tragic reality,” Drucker said as she collected her statuette.

Source: Domestic abuse film ‘Custody’ sweeps board at France’s Cesar awards

Berger on wine: There’s much to love about Rhône Valley wines

Rhône region winesDan Berger writes about the wines of the Rhône region of southern France, which have long flown under the radar.

Of all the French wine regions that are widely considered iconic, perhaps the least acclaimed is the southern French district known as the Rhône Valley.

The name Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the south (literally “new home of the pope”) comes from the roughly 70-year period when political and ecclesiastical conflicts caused the papacy to be based not in Rome but in Avignon, France. The reds can be utterly sublime.

Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace and the Loire Valley all have supporters, with the first three attaining near mythic status and lots attention on the world wine stage. Most of the wines from this trio of regions today command high prices. Continue reading “Berger on wine: There’s much to love about Rhône Valley wines” →

17 French Expressions About Dating and Relationships You Should Know 

It’s not easy to find love in the City of Love if you don’t speak the language.

Believe it or not, The Little Mermaid method of attracting someone by not speaking is not efficient or sustainable in the longterm. The easiest way to find that dream French boyfriend / girlfriend is to speak the language. Here are 17 great French words and expressions about dating, relationships, breakups, and everything in between to help you find love in the City of Love.

1. Avoir un crush

This is the Americanized, modern version of “avoir le béguin” meaning, to have a crush on someone or like someone. For example, your friend Stéphane might say, “j’ai un crush sur ma collègue Alix.”

2. On peut se tutoyer?

A very foreign idea to Americans, this is the question you ask if you want to transition from calling someone by the formal “vous” to the informal “tu.” So if Stéphane finally talks to Alix at an after-work happy hour, he may ask her “on peut se tutoyer?” (can we call each other by “tu”) to indicate that he’d like to get to know her and be closer. Continue reading “17 French Expressions About Dating and Relationships You Should Know “ →

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