Cinemas, Paris

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Embarking again on David Sedaris' advice I chose to watch another film although at a different theater, Cinema le Saint Germain des Pres which sits just off Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres.

Didn't have quite as much luck this time as there was a guy sitting behind me who whispered a few minutes into the movie, but his obviously French girlfried shushed him and he became quiet.

This time the 1985 film, Alamo Bay, was from Louis Malle (famous French director married to Candice Bergen) set in entirely American locale, Texas! The film stars a very young Ed Harris as the evil boyfriend of a very young Amy Madigan (don't worry, he gets his comeuppance in the end - go see the film).

Photos: November 2007 & February 2006

Dress Code: Casual

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Let me tell you about the nice, friendly, helpful, global staff at Le Village Youth Hostel. People from Brazil & different places worked there with one of the guys being a HUGE cinéphile like me. One night I'd sat at one of the tables reading the Me Talk Pretty One Day by American humorist David Sedaris and I was laughing out loud. He asked me what it was about which turned into a long discussion about movies & the theatres in Paris. He was then kind enough to help me find a movie for Friday night. It was decided I'd see an old Marilyn Monroe classic, a flick I'd never seen, Niagara.

So I took David Sedaris' advice (I'd met him the previous night at a book signing at The Village Voice where he'd signed my book) and saw a film that Friday night. Indeed, he's right. There were tons of talking in the theatre but the *moment* the title flashed across the screen all was still with quiet, utter silent bliss. At the theater I attended, Action Ecoles, the seats were comfy with tall backs in red plush velvet. No small wonder that they don't serve refreshments here, at least I didn't see any. I've always told people that I have some sort of magnet that attracts the loudest people in the theatres to sit RIGHTBEHINDME. But here in Paris about the only sound you'll hear will be polite laughter during the funny parts. This alone makes me want to live in Paris!

Here's the website that the gentleman at Le Village used to help me find a movie. It notes all the movies that are showing in Paris, an invaluable service:
http://www.seances.org

Photos: February 2006

Dress Code: Casual

If you are interested in seeing a movie in Paris, but don't know much French, here's a tip...There's a little entertainment guide called Pariscope that comes out every Wednesday. You can pick it up at any news stand and costs .40 Euros.

In the movie listings, look for the letters "v.o." This stands for "version original" and means that the film is shown in the language of the originating country with French subtitles.

Also, many movie theaters in Paris don't have snack concessions. It is perfectly acceptable to take drinks and snacks in with you.

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Paris is the capitol of the European Cinema.
You can go to the cinema in the late evening or even at night. Ask in advance whether the movie is with English inscriptions+French dubbing or with French inscriptions+ original understable for you soundtrack.

The movies are shown a few months later then in the USA.
I cry loudly: WHY do they do that? is it legal? what about European rights hehe? are we worse? OK, maybe once first in Europe once in the USA? He?
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Dress Code: You may try to customize your dress to the movie - look at the picture haha.

The cinema's
The cinema's in Paris are numerous especially at the Champ-Elysees. We had to stop counting.
Don't be afraid that your favourite actors suddenly speak French. Most cinema's show films with French subtiteling.