We had a meeting about the Jacques Brel DVD we plan to get out in time for Christmas/ Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa shopping season. The guy is one of the most popular actors in the country so it's actually pretty cool- hanging out with stars again.
I'll be in charge of the photography (I'd better learn to operate that fancy camera The Man got me for Hanukkah 2 years ago...) and the interviews. Been doing some research into Monsieur Brel and am feeling a bit defeated.
Now, I love all things French (except the people). To me French culture is light, sparkly, frilly... basically a frivolous quest for joie de vivre. Not Brel's France. His France shows the other, uglier side of the country that takes such great pride in its finesse. His songs tell the story of sailors, prostitutes, drunks, unemployed, vagrants... A far cry from my world of macarons and afternoon champagne.
The songs are raw. Brutal even. And on more that one occasion soul-wrenchingly emotional. Exactly what I should NOT be listening to right now...
It's funny how many classic French songs (I'm looking at you Mr. Brel and Ms. Piaf) are about really gritty things. The uninitiated often find them delightful, without ever realising what the song is actually about.
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