‘Stop the Paris rat genocide’: Activists call for contraceptives not a ‘massacre’

This story from France’s The Local brought to mind Pixar’s brilliant animated film Ratatouille. Now I ask you, who would wish to exterminate Remy? If a contraception plan could be effective (or at least more effective than the rythm method) why not first give it a try? Paris, you have my blessing to forward the bill for this expense to Trump Towers. – Editor 

A campaign by Paris city chiefs to clear out rats from the streets and parks has angered animal rights activists, who want the city to come up with a contraceptive plan rather than massacre the rodents.

Read full article: ‘Stop the Paris rat genocide’: Activists call for contraceptives not a ‘massacre’ – The Local

Reeperbahn rendezvous: the glorious dive bar photos of Anders Petersen 

“Lehmitz was the first thing I did seriously. It filled me up,” says Anders Petersen. “I really identified with these people and their situation, this group who were outside society. I respected them. I felt very strongly about them.”

 

Petersen’s photographs of Cafe Lehmitz and its customers – regulars in a Hamburg red-light-district dive at the fag end of the 60s – have long been among the most revered of photobooks. First published in 1978, Cafe Lehmitz became part of pop culture when Tom Waits used one as the cover of his 1985 Rain Dogs album.Almost five decades after the photos were shot, the Swedish photographer, now 72, has revised his Lehmitz archive for an exhibition in Paris of previously unseen images

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Grand Corps Malade

A friend in Paris recently turned me on to this amazing talent known as Grand Corps Malade.  Also known as  Fabien Marsaud, the poet performs both a capella, and occasionally accompanied by a small jazz ensemble.

I love this video “Pocahontas,” which features family members and friends recreating photographs from their past.

In 1997, a diving accident left Marsaud unable to walk for a period of two years. Marsaud claimed the name “Grand Corps Malade” (meaning “Tall Sick Body” in French) in reference to his condition as well as his height (nearly 6’4″). The former basketball star regained the ability to walk in 1999, and started his career as “slam poet” in 2003.

2013’s Funambule is the fourth studio album, with the musical direction of musician and trumpet player Ibrahim Maalouf. The album Continue reading “Grand Corps Malade” →

Performer of the Year: Isabelle Huppert

With two powerhouse performances and some serious Oscar buzz brewing, 2016 is officially the Year of Huppert.

Isabelle Huppert is without a doubt one of the finest actresses of all time, an immense talent we’ve been fortunate enough to witness for decades. She is the most nominated actress for France’s César Award, with thirteen nominations; she has had more films in competition at the Cannes Film Festival than any other actress; she is a BAFTA winner, Silver Berlin Bear Winner and she unanimously won Best Actress at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival for her role as Erika Kohut in Michael Haneke’s The Piano Teacher. In short, Huppert is who Meryl Streep likely wakes up wanting to be [ . . .  ]

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