If Carrie Bradshaw and the girls disappoint you, let the infallible Fatih Akin soothe your nerves. Watch musicals, documentaries and biographies on music, from around the world at the french street music festival, Fete De La Musique
If Carrie Bradshaw and the girls disappoint you, let the infallible Fatih Akin soothe your nerves. Watch musicals, documentaries and biographies on music, from around the world at the french street music festival, Fete De La Musique
Every year on June 21, the cobbled streets of Paris host a free-for-all music fest where newbies rub shoulders with veteran musicians and perform in tiny bistros, streetside cafes and heritage structures.
Started in 1982 by French cultural minister Jack Lang, the Fete de la Musique also marks the summer solstice (when the earth's axial tilt is closest to the sun).
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Over the last two decades, the festival has spread over distant shores and is now held across five continents, 110 countries and 430 cities spanning from New York to Nigeria.
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| Dreamgirls is about three African-American soul singers who cross over to the pop charts |
The festival finally arrives on Indian shores this year, but because it comes riding on the monsoon clouds, there will be no open-air events.
Fete de la Musique is being jointly held by Alliance Francaise, American Center and Max Mueller Bhavan.
Over three days, moviebuffs and music lovers will get to watch 11 movies from six countries that are based on musicians, composers and singers.
Alliance Fran aise has plans of holding events across the city in the coming years. "Year after year, the festival can grow in popularity until there can be concerts in every part of the city.
In France, we organise many such festivals to celebrate different aspects of artistic creation, such as the Festival of Cinema, Spring Time of the Poets and Your Turn to Read," says Anne Dubourg, Director, Alliance Fran aise de Bombay.
The organisers point out that Mumbai makes for a great venue thanks to the cosmopolitan nature of the city which is united by its love for music.
"Audiences here have diverse musical tastes, a love of cinema, and a wonderfully long musical history.
From casual fans to musical aficionados, music is one language that bridges the cultures of all countries," states Robyn Remeika, Cultural Affairs Officer, American Center, Mumbai.
Watch out for movies such as L'enfant Prodige about musician Andre Mathieu, a child prodigy pianist and composer who died a destitute alcoholic at 39. Le Vie En Rose delves into the enigmatic life of the legendary French singer Edith Piaf.
German director, Fatih Akin's Crossing The Bridge is a documentary on the music scene in Istanbul that is abuzz with Indie Rock and Rap sounds.
If magical realism is your thing, check out Italian movie The Legend Of The Pianist On The Ocean which chronicles the life of a musician born on a steamer, which has never gone ashore.
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There is also a strong message of multi-culturalism conveyed through movies inspired by real life such as Rhythm Is It, which is based on 250 kids from various backgrounds learning to dance to classical music.
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L'orchestra Di Piazza Vittorio is about an unusual multi-ethnic orchestra in Rome and Dreamgirls is based on three African-American female soul singers who cross over to the pop charts in the early '60s.
At Alliance Francaise, Theosophy Hall, 40, Marine Lines, Churchgate; American Center, 4, New Marine Lines, Churchgate; Max Mueller Bhavan, K Dubhash Marg, Kala Ghoda.
From June 17 to June 19
Call 22035993 / 22626760 / 22027542ScheduleJune 17 Crossing The Bridge (Germany) By Fatih Akin
At: American Center, 4.30 pm to 6 pm
L'orchestra Di Piazza Vittorio (Italy)By Agastino Ferrente
At: Alliance Francaise, 4.30 pm to 6 pm
An Evening with Gainsbourg (France)
At: Alliance Francaise, 6.30 pm to 7 pm
The Legend Of The Pianist On The Ocean (Italy) By Guiseppe Tarnatore
At: Max Mueller Bhavan, 6.30 pm to 9.15 pm
Dreamgirls (USA) By Bill Condon
At: American Center, 6.15 pm to 8.30 pm
Gainsbourg (France) By Joan Star
At: Alliance Francaise, 7 pm to 9 pm
June 18
Dreamgirls (USA) By Bill Condon
At: Alliance Francaise, 4.15 pm to 6.30 pm
Les Voix De Kalkeri (Quebec) By Julien Lumieux
At: American Centre, 5 pm to 6.20 pm
Le Vie En Rose (France) By Olivier Dahan
At: American Centre, 6.40 pm to 8.50 pm
Dance The Rhythm (Switzerland) By Gitta Gsell
At: Max Mueller Bhavan,u00a07 pm to 8.20 pm
Crossing The Bridge (Germany) By Fatih Akin
At: Alliance Francaise, 7 pm to 8.30 pm
June 19
The Legend Of The Pianist On The Ocean (Italy) By Guiseppe Tarnatore
At: Alliance Francaise, 10.30 am to 1.15 pm
Rhythm Is It (Germany) By Thomas Grube, Enrique Sanchez Lansch
At: Alliance Francaise, 2 pm to 3.40 pm
Chorus Line (USA) By Richard Attenborough
At: Max Mueller Bhavan, 4.40 pm to 6 pm
L'enfant Prodige (Quebec) By Luc Dianne
At: Alliance Francaise, 4 pm to 6 pmu00a0
