Film Review: Under The Skin

Weird is a word that described moments in my mind, disorientated but with eyes wide open.
I've seen enough art house cinema not to feel that movies can be radicalised but this WAS a bit extreme.  All the way I kept wondering what would come next yet couldn't imagine, although I had clocked the word ALIEN in my head.  I inwardly praised myself once I had become rather spooked to see the evidence of what WAS Under The Skin... the film seemed to suggest that none of us are what we appear to be...
The light at the end of the tunnel...when the circle of light transforms into an eye that enables light in our lives, helps us to see whilst we hear the sound of the train.
She had beautiful eyes and these were referred to in the film.
The van is being driven but we hear the train on the tracks.
The seductress and temptress.
She could seduce but not be seduced for if her skin was 'pricked' by a rose thorn or any other sharp or pointed thing her skin would split.  She would implode.
The stalker and the killer.
The biker and the walker.
The rapist.
Every woman's nightmare.
A male protector turns to seduce.
A female enjoys the attention.
Why is it always thus?
Transmogrification 
is a word in my mind as final scenes are enacted.
Black skin, white skin.
Red top, red lips,
Blood and Roses.
Fire.
Flames to Ashes... red to black.
Burnt.
Destruction.
Grey.
Up in smoke.
The skin of the dead will pop if allowed to fester.
Beneath the oil slick this is what happens.
I thought those images where she leads the victim to death, demise, a day of reckoning, were brilliantly clever and inventive: how men sank into oblivion was mesemerising....  
Wonderful photography.
Scenic landscapes.
Silence.
Evil.
As in the eye of a camera there is a juxtaposition of views that are given to US whilst we look at the movie against what is seen from the eyes of the actors and actress and of course the camera man and the director, not to mention the author of the book. 
Evidently, don't expect to match the novel and the film!
Intriguing, full of suspense...weird but wonderful.
I exited.
I looked at the 2014 world.
I became disorientated, uncertain of my next direction and my direction in life and kept thinking as I walked... Weird... Isn't life weird!

L'Ancien Theatre in Chatellerault: 6

The Peristyle is used as a foyer.

1967 the theatre was deemed to be outside of the cultural life of Chatellerault and any project to renew it was too onerous. 
1973 there was an order for it to be closed because of the danger of fire.
1977 The Maire confirmed it was going to be destroyed. An association to save it was led by Michel Bidron. it has been a long process but I am so very glad the theatre has been conserved and is classed as a Historic Monument de France. Thank you to all those who had faith!
And now....please go to the theatre as part of the audience or have a guided tour.  Treat yourself!
There is a depth to this theatre that I have not been able to relate or reproduce in these postings nor yet uncovered. Over to you!

PS If I am able to read / translate / discover more important facts I will update my blog with new postings! 

L'Ancien Theatre in Chatellerault: 5

These photos are of a maquette on display.

And some other lovely decorative features:

L'Ancien Theatre in Chatellerault: 4

The sets, curtain and allegorical ceiling paintings are the artistry of Emile Vernon, from the École des Beaux-Arts, Tours, France. This is a reproduction of the main curtain which has two oculi to espy if the audience are ready for the show!  It depicts the Henri IV bridge over La Vienne river between Chatellerault and Chateauneuf.  I wonder if all the original has been kept and if so, where? I hope examples of the other artefacts are in storage somewhere.

 This blog shows his paintings in their original state - untouched! Thank you to the blogger!

SPRINGTIME COMETH
Evidently the cranes went over yesterday but I didn't see them! 

L'Ancien Theatre in Chatellerault: 3

I am very fond of this theatre and have been a member of "Les Amis" for several years, offering my humble support for the rescue of this unique building.  It was dilapidated and at its worst when a friend and I had a guided tour. Earlier this week I was rapturous and so happy to see it looking exquisitely beautiful when I attended the AGM.

I don't think my level of French would withstand a performance but maybe if I can find an event that hasn't yet sold out I would love to dress in my finery and be chaperoned as part of the audience, as part of the theatre that the actors may or may not see when all the lights are shining upon THEM.  I would be in the dark in more ways than one!   I would be with the Godesses of Thalia and Mesopmene in Paradise!

You could read: 
http://www.ville-chatellerault.fr/grands-projets/ancien-theatre

L'Ancien Theatre in Chatellerault: 2

 These are images from the electronic presentation available to view in the 'peristyle' / foyer.

1495 Les Minimes positioned outside of the walled moated town of Chatellerault.

The Moat has long since been filled, but how or why or when I do not know!  In this 1495 engraving one can see the churches of St Jacques, the 10th century Roman church and St Jean the Evangelist. I find it Fascinating, the more I look. And when was the wall taken down?

The cheapest seats in the Gods are called Paradise.

The chapel window still exists but is bricked up.

Des baies géminées  can be seen here.

By now those who buy the cheapest seats go to the chicken run! 

Le gril is machinery which controls the raising and lowering of the sets 'de scene'.  I think it is fantastic that these were preserved and now restored.

2014

If you wish to hear in French then go to here

L'Ancien Theatre in Chatellerault: 1

  In future it will be called Theatre Blossac.
L'Ancien refers to the 'former' not 'ancient' theatre.
Now, re-instated it is situated on the Boulevard Blossac.

HOWEVER, it has been restored exquisitely, ambitiously and impeccably. 

It is a working theatre in the Italianate Style.
I recommend everyone to have a guided tour. 

HISTORY:
1495: A theatre was built in the chapel of the Convent of Minimes.
1791: It was purchased by the town council.
1804:  A wooden tower was destroyed.  I don't know which tower is referred to. The wood was recycled to build a simple amphitheatre with apx 400 seats to host meetings and Republican ceremonies.  It was organised by a charitable company whose aims were to "bring relief to poverty, promote the arts and provide residents with pleasant relaxation which would improve their morals." 
(Maybe the translation means morale!) 
1814: It was decided that a new theatre was required for the town.
1839 to 1844: A small neo-classical Italian theatre was built by Michel Delage, who was a mason in Châtellerault, according to designs by Louis Renaudet.
1860: It became a Municipal Theatre. I think it was called La Redoute because until recently that was the name of the hall in front of the concealed theatre and the hall upstairs.  "The cultural space now includes a theatre (in the nave of the old church), a peristyle attached to the front of the church and, upstairs, a fireplace and the room dedicated to La Redoute meetings concerts and balls." 
1899: The theatre was extended to seat apx 600 in the audience. The simple brown, blue and yellow decor was transformed with rich paintings, sculptures and embellishments of red and gold.  The sets, the curtain and the allegorical ceiling paintings and murals are the work of Emile Vernon, of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Tours.  
Émile Vernon, was born in 1872 and died in 1919. He was a student at the School of Fine Arts in Tours, France and received the premier prize for drawing in 1888.  He was taught and influenced by William Bouguereau and Auguste Truphème at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris.   In 1898, he participated in the Exhibition of Fine Arts and Decorative Arts in Tours.  He exhibited regularly until 1913, with portraits, landscapes and floral paintings.  He excelled in watercolour paintings of women and children in bright colours and bucolic scenery, and was well known for the portrait of Mrs.Vernon, Under the Lamp.
1945 to 1958:  although there were performances the building began to degrade becoming dangerous.
2012: Restoration began to replicate the Italianate theatre of 1899.  The foundations, roof, walls, stairway, plumbing, electricity, et cetera have all been updated according to current building regulations. Paintings and decorations have been restored: curtains, dressing rooms, benches, seats and theatre boxes, chairs in the balconies, the proscenium, cornices, friezes and IN FACT everything has all been replaced and or restored.  The machinery which operates the theatrical screens and sets has also been upgraded.In addition, a lift has been installed.  
Two stone muses, Thalia and Melopmene were returned to the facade of the theatre.
In Grecian Mythology the Muses were the inspirational goddesses of knowledge, of the arts, of music, song and dance and all were the source of inspiration to poets in the court of Zeus.  In very ancient times there were three Muses, but later there were nine.  
Each inspirational Muse received a name and spheres of responsibility or attributes:-

Calliope (epic poetry) 
Clio (history)
Erato (love and erotic poetry)
Euterpe (lyric poetry)
Melopmene (tragedy)
Thalia (comedy)
Polyhymnia (religious hymns)
Terpsichore (choral song and dance)
Urania (astronomy)

2013: The theatre was re-opened.  It has cost 5.85 million euros to restore.  The Heritage Foundation supported the restoration of the theatre. The work was overseen by Millet Key, an International firm associated with Arnaud de Saint-Jouan, Chief Architect of Historic Monuments. 25 companies were involved.

See next posting for more photographs.

Film Review: I used to be darker

I chose this film at the new FANTASTIC LOFT cinema because it was at a convenient time. There was 'Yves St Laurent' but Version Originale Sous-Titres (VOST) won!  I was the only one in Screen 6!  The title of the film is from the lyrics of one of the songs.  Matthew Porterfield: Director.  Released: September 2013.
A young Irish teenager has fled from her job in Wales. In fear, not knowing how to solve her problem, she has gone to seek refuge and shelter with her cousin, without realising that her aunt and uncle are experiencing a marital separation (love and loss). She's pregnant but takes a while to tell everyone (love and loss). Her friend has come home from college because of family crisis (love and loss).  She gets angry but is letting off steam for her own frustrations, inner hurt and quandary of how does one help anyone in crisis, let alone one's parents! There was anger from the father as he broke his guitar (love and loss).  There is release of love, everyone tried to be kind in their loss. There is obvious depression and frustration. There is redemption when lives are built up, then broken down. Life changes.  It brings the unexpected.  Nothing stands still.  It can be cruel and unkind.  The stories of the characters unfold.  There is an end to every beginning.  There is a beginning to every end. There was a sense of profundity to this film-story without an end as in everyday Life!
At first I wondered what I was doing watching such a movie about youngsters, but I sat through the glaringly, appallingly not-my-style-music.  At the end I discovered myself tapping a foot to a beautiful melody.  I wondered why the cinema lights had gone on!  It was the final song.
It was a film about letting go...but to go where?  As in real life, people wondered about their  experiences and were uncertain of how to solve emotional and pragmatic difficulties!  As in real life we go to the next experiences either of our own making or that have been circumstantially imposed upon us
It was a good film, one that I would recommend, for being gentle, even with the drama of anger and pain.  One could reflect. Occasionally the pace was a little slow, bringing a minor point of boredom when I fidgeted in my seat!

The Life of Rif

A busy week, highlighting a need to tackle personal issues / tasks, think of Future AND let go of Past.
Monday:
I drove to hospital - about 50 minutes drive.  I receive results of neck and shoulder x-rays immediately afterwards.  Isn't that efficient? I have to return to the GP to see what further treatment he will recommend for the upper arm difficulties which keep me awake at night! The non-steroid anti-inflammatory kicked in after 4 days but then the 7 day treatment ended and yes there was a marginal improvement which has faded!
I did a little food shopping. Unfortunately, despite best intentions, I couldn't resist a long grey linen tablecloth reduced by 50% and bags of compost (terreau) at 50% discount too!
Tuesday:
Arrived at the garage early. Waited whilst they checked the vehicle. Then they told me what work the car needs before the contrôle technique in the afternoon.  In France this MOT is every two years. They suggested I had a new windscreen, evidently covered by my insurance!!!!!!  It had been severely scratched by the metal part of windscreen wipers when last winter, or was it the winter before, rubber froze to the glass and parted from the wiper blades!
The mechanic was very helpful, in his own interests for business of course. Once I'd understood his suggestion, I agreed!  He phoned the insurance company to change the windscreen. I write a cheque for the repair,  the garage gives me an invoice and does not cash the cheque for two weeks.  Meanwhile I send the invoice to the insurance company who re-imburse my bank.  As soon as I receive the funds the garage cashes the cheque.  Isn't that marvellous?  Some cleaning of the brakes and a piece of rubber for the exhaust support- it's an absolute miracle for little Clio and me!!!!!! 
Whilst they did the work I walked into town - quite a distance. I kept to the opposite side of the road of the site of the May 2013 velo accident!  I am still rather nervous and almost ultra vigilant on the road as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian. I concentrated, walking carefully, as the pavement is pockmarked.  At times one had to walk onto the cycle track because vehicles were parked on the pavement. I must have pre-empted the trip I had on the return journey when I didn't quite negotiate the steps of a house that poked out onto the pavement ... another horror for the blind pedestrian!  I went flying forwards with the weight of a backpack behind me!  Squeezed between parked vehicles with not much space to land, two gloved hands broke my fall causing a jolt to my right shoulder. An inner scream, an expletive, as the biceps tendonitis / rotator cuff tendon (whatever!) went through an excruciating wave of pain and agony!  Aware of a bruise on my chin, thankfully not bleeding and the same to my left knee, which I knew had bled, I was grateful to be in tact and so were my better jeans!   Never mind!  Fortunately, I was wearing my new strong but heavy walking shoes.
Before that, unexpectedly I'd met a French friend so we shared news over a coffee.

I also viewed a small but interesting art exhibition and a film at the new cinema as well as visited the very exciting new Tourist Office at Chatellerault, behind which is the new Elementary and Maternelle school and pedestrian access to the river.
Wednesday: trying to get shipshape at home, chasing my tail with domestics, admin and naughtily writing blog posts!
Been trying to convert photos from ipad to laptop but it wants to use Google Drive, other apps and not iphoto! VERY ANNOYING IS MODERN TECHNOLOGY and I don't live in the ARK.

Date and Pineapple Oatcake Slice

  

I put about 200g stoned dates with a little water in a pan and then used the potato masher to bash into a puree. After that I added about a quarter of a large finely sliced fresh pineapple which I'd bought just before Christmas for 1.50 euros and kept it in my cold pantry to ripen.

In a bowl weigh 350g s.r. flour and 350g oats with 250g brown sugar and 250g butter, a large pinch salt and a large pinch vanilla powder. Crumble together with the fingers.

In a greased tin... sprinkle and pat down just under 1cm thick crumble...then spoon the date and pineapple mixture over the crumble pressing smooth, followed by a final layer of crumble. Press with your fingers or a spoon.
Bake in an oven about 190 / 200C for about 20 to 30 minutes...when the oaty mixture is golden and not white looking.   Slice whilst still warm and serve with crême fraîche.

 

There was more pineapple and more crumble. So I made a further dessert with only pineapple in the centre which I shall eat for breakfast as well as dessert... and a smaller sized pineapple-upside-down with a crumble instead of a sponge!!!! Deeeeeeeeelish!

My friend doesn't often make desserts so it seemed a fair exchange for table talk with 5 adults, 3 kiddies, champagne with salmon canapés, Chinon rouge and roast chicken with vegetables, goats cheese with a red Bordeaux, a sweet 2005 Bergerac with my dessert, black coffee and then I watched the 2013 movie "Frozen" with the little ones until the sun had almost set!  Ah....... I am alive!

History of the Battle of Tours / Poitiers 732 AD plus Nature Reserves

The BBC recently aired a programme "In Our Time" presented by Melvyn Bragg.
I quote from the programme blurb: 

In 732 a large Arab army invaded Gaul from northern Spain, and travelled as far north as Poitiers. There they were defeated by Charles Martel, whose Frankish and Burgundian forces repelled the invaders. The result confirmed the regional supremacy of Charles, who went on to establish a strong Frankish dynasty.  The Battle of Tours was the last major incursion of Muslim armies into northern Europe; some historians, including Edward Gibbon, have seen it as the decisive moment that determined that the continent would remain Christian.

I have provided these links for anyone who enjoys history:

 http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/imperialism/notes/tours.html

http://www.histoire-pour-tous.fr/forum/moussais-86-la-bataille-de-poitiers-en-732-t9979.html 

I can't find my own photos of Moussais... possibly pre this computer's photo system.  It is quite an interesting outdoor museum / exhibition but last time I was there it looked as if it needed TLC.   It is sited near the lake of St Cyr which is heaving with waterside visitors in Summer but in Winter there are more avian visitors and it's good to walk around the lake... nearby a golf club! Also it is not far from the Reserve Naturelle de Pinail...where  now that mining for millstones has ceased there is heathland and small ponds, a haven for wildlife.  A group visit might be a good idea???????

Aldo Ciccolini - the pianist

On Friday night I was privileged to hear and watch the former teacher of Laurie Clement, my piano teacher.  In Paris, she was taught by Aldo Ciccolini.  At the age of 88 he plays impeccably. You may read his history here.

Here is a video of Ciccolini two years ago, performing the first piece from Friday night's concert which was as perfect!

There were pieces by Chopin, Schumann and Castelnuovo-Tedesco (new to my ear!).  For an encore he played a piece that my best friend at college used to play.  How I envied her ability!  It was "Minstrels" by Debussy,  here played by Claudio Arrau.
At the end of the concert I waited whilst the audience departed very slowly.  I would like to bet that the man in front of me who told the woman next to him that the pianist did not play with sensibilité (with emotion/sensitivity) was an insensitive soul himself and probably not even a pianist.  I almost said something but words in French failed me! Did he not appreciate an accomplishment of age and experience?
This, the week the Italian Conductor Claudio Abbado aged 80 died.
There can be no excuse now to think that my fingers are less agile!!!!! Perseverance, endurance! Music is a language which keeps the brain and body young!!!!!!!
(photographs above are mine)

Moved by a Movie

Whilst watching again the movie I realised that I'd moved from reading the Beat,  Kerouac and his travels across Amereeeeeeeecar... to watching hippie travels across Southern USA! The music tracks were great for the era! Memories...  BUT...
I had forgotten the tragic ending so it was not such a good thing for mild depression that had developed yesterday despite trying to sleep it off.  I made myself work in garden sunshine for I couldn't face a walk.  I LOVE to get my hands earthy!  It's rewarding to weed and rake out spent growth from last year.. make way for new.
There hasn't been a "down"day like that since November.  I think it came about from an accumulation of knowing that there is a roofing mystery,  going out the night before but being unable to communicate to anyone about the brilliant pianist, difficulties over two days getting the woodburner to FIRE UP, then "THINGS including medical matters" that had been built in my mind over the last week ... and the approach of February.

I have a large poster of Fonda on his famous chopper! It's waiting to be mounted (on hardboard).

I LOVE to go to the cinema but have never been often enough, where I am absorbed into drama, screen and sound.  I find it hard to concentrate on small screens; have never been a fan of television. Yesterday, was a time to escape into a different world.  Easy Rider.  Every ten or fifteen minutes I would press PAUSE to play the piano - Chopin Nocturnes ... with Passion ... for Romance that existed in Chopin's mind for love and unrequited love... One can hear and feel such beauty in the small trills, melodies, counter melodies, changes of rhythm and pattern, nuances of emotion... Then I return to the fireside and watch a little more... and backtrack if I want to!

At the end of the evening, the house felt kind, calm, peaceful, content... 'IT' had passed and I knew that tomorrow would be a better day for the soul! 

Hooting owl and crafty cat

Little people cannot sit still and they wriggled and jiggled with their paper mask puppets symbolising The Owl and the Pussycat... I'd sang the song and let them draw their own versions on the last surrogate granny sit, but this time, following mum's idea whilst re-engaging with what it is to work with little ones not yet three, I managed to devise and prep the parts...  Then the little ones mostly did the making of marks with coloured pens and crayons and glueing, including indeed licking their fingers, which I did try to discourage!   The positioning of the parts was a bit anarchic but eventually they were in agreement and could see the masks transforming from paper shapes to craftwork... it was a good opportunity to learn colours and shapes... Fortunately I had coloured paper but an old rose catalogue provided the darker colours!
Later, they made a boat with my blankets on the oak floor and we rocked and sang on the deep blue ocean. Then one little one started to sing Row, row, row the boat and so we found that on the internet and watched and sang, watched and sang, so all was calm by the time that mummy arrived!
Who's next for granny sitting?

ADDENDUM:
The class of two are so funny.  They are rather fascinated with my bathroom because they are allowed to have face cream!!!!! My towel rail has a shiny, silver metal, mirror-like base...one twin asked if they could fall in?!!!!  Eventually, one looked in and took his face closer and closer until it touched the metal whilst his sister who'd asked the question watched afraid!  Then he turned around and wriggled into the small space to sit on the "pond" and we all laughed!  It reminded me of being a Brownie and having to walk three times around the mirror on the ground and then peer into it... At the age of 6 or 7 it was a world beyond my experience and I was so spooked to look in! I'm sure you know what I saw!!!!!!

Well... the current french amour

discussed in the rags on the internet is producing some very funny (to me) statements

- French people have a sex life / British people have hot water bottles
- French bathrooms have radiators / British ones are  cold (usually the only room where you are required to be naked in order to have a wash!!!!!)
- French people eat green peas with a fork / British put peas on top of the upside down fork
- French chat non-stop especially whilst dining / British only chat when taking dogs for a walk
- On the Continent people have good food / British have good table manners!
Abbreviated slightly! 

ADDENDUM 19 January 2014:
I can't disagree with this BBC journalist:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25756961

I think that is what I have been trying to equate.  I think FH whilst in office has a duty not only to France but to the world AND to pay respect and deference to his Lady and not go scooting off elsewhere, no matter how strong his hunger, never mind appetite. He is a MAN!  I see that they have been an item for many years before he held office. Now, as far as I know, we don't know about what has been on her plate, but if she has been loyal, then he is offensive by not being honest to her and not honouring her.  It annoys me that two people who have acknowledged each other as if they were husband and wife, despite not being legally wed but whom do live together ... and then have 'painful moments' ... then one would hope people could be sufficiently emotionally intelligent to find a solution to the problem between them in a civilised manner.
Mature, senior couples dating ... I think should be able to talk about what it is that they WANT and discuss the consequences ... if possible before the deed is done but that doesn't always work out in reality!!!!!!!!!!

FURTHER ADDENDUM 26 January 2014 20h
MY THOUGHTS
Now that he has made his intentions clear why couldn't he have done this beforehand and allowed each of the three to have DIGNITY?   OK...all sorts of scenarios were possibly true, that in the last two years VT did not know, or did know, or was asked to leave or refused to leave, or any other unthought scenarios.  I know what it is to not have anywhere to go because one installed all one's eggs into one basket... called LOYALTY... and there is nothing shameful in THAT...
I am sure she will be OK... She has friends in high places... whatever sticks of belongings she has in the Elycee can be re-housed. I am sure her income will be more than the poorest citizen of France or mine and so will surface and may she hold her head up high... for at the very least I believe HE could have given DIGNITY and RESPECT because of the POWER he holds!!!!!!!
... number 3 should watch her back!!!!!!!!!

Angles sur L'Anglin Pyromelodique 2013

It IS tricky to capture night scenes and fireworks.  I was up high and it was interesting to see how the air pressure kept the vapour from the explosives near the ground. The whole valley was filled with smoke so whether or not those near the river saw much will be interesting! The disadvantage was not being able to fully hear the music and spoken account.  I paid my fee but was annoyed that some visitors did not. I suppose 6.50euros for one person is not a great entertainment fee but for a family it must get expensive when then there is the need to eat, drink and participate in the fairground activities. I used to take a picnic before I lived here.  Last year's event was cancelled and the year before I watched whilst sat on the rocks high up at La Huche Corne which was a good position. In 2010 I sat on the Low Town side of the river which was not bad... that was the year the pompiers had to extinguish a fire on the cliff face to many cheers once it was realised it was not part of the drama!  In 2008 or 9, I sat on the High Town side of the river by the first tree and all the years before that going back to 2004 I believe!  Hey ho the years pass!

Morris dancing

Today was my son's birthday ... but he's not with me. He's Eco building in the Lothian whilst I'm back in Southwold, my spiritual site with not enough time for walking far, as I promised to be with a cousin with a hobbly foot on account of her bunion op.  Off we hopped to the local hop and enjoyed a half of Adnams...to watch clog dancers. I was lucky enough to be bedecked with two ribboned spools and dance a column dance to "Nelly the Elephant" ... 1,2,3, hop (forwards and back) 1,2,3, hop....