Tous les Matins du Monde

Don't let the cover fool you...this movie, Tous les Matins du Monde, is not a movie filled with steamy sex. Rather it's a film filled with divine Baroque music. The title translates as "All the mornings of the world," and in the novel by Pascal Quignard, the entire quote is "All the mornings of the world leave without ever returning." Or more simply "Each day dawns but once." It's the fictional story of composer Sainte Colombe and his student, Marin Marais. While both men are real, little is known for certain about their relationship as teacher/student. However, the author has created a plausible story that entwines the lives of the men with Sainte Colombe's daughters. There are some brief R-rated moments, but overall the film is about music...beautiful music...and the creative process. I first learned of the composer in an e-newsletter I receive daily called "Composer's Datebook." I heard some snippets of Sainte Colombe's music and was intrigued. Clicking onto the accompanying links brought me to more music, his instrument, the viola de gamba, and this movie. I blogged last year about the viola de gamba, an instrument I'd never heard of, and knew I had to see this film. I wasn't disappointed by its slow, meditative, music-filled story. I recommend ift for anyone who enjoys foreign films with English subtitles, movies that can tell a story without gratuitous sex and violence, and movies filled with gorgeous music.

Love in Another Time of Cholera

Searching for information about the plague for my last blog entry reminded me of another epidemic that marched across Provence in 1832. This time the disease was cholera, a bacterial infection that still causes death in many parts of the world. Spread primarily by contaminated water, it can be prevented by simply boiling or chlorinating the water supply and practicing good hygiene. We know that now, but in 1832 the citizens of Provence had no idea how to stop its spread or treat those ill with it. My French friend, Isabelle, recommended this movie, "The Horseman on the Roof," some months ago. I bought the DVD. Set in Provence during this time of cholera, the lovely French marquise played by Juliette Binoche teams up with the handsome Italian huzzard. Together they flee from both the plague and those set on murdering the Italian freedom fighter. Isabelle was right...it's a good movie...full of romance, sword fights, wonderful riding, beautiful scenery, and gorgeous actors punctuated with scenes of horrible death and hysteria. Isabelle just commented on my blog entry about Cucuron that this movie was filmed in part there. If you love Provence, history and swashbuckling movies, please brave the French with subtitles in English and watch this movie. It's a peek into romance in 'another time of cholera.'

More Movie Recommendations

My blog-o-sphere friend, Isabelle, recommended movies about Provence that she thought I might enjoy. I've reviewed two of them in previous blog posts, Jean de Florette and Manon of the Springs. Last Sunday evening I watched the second of a series of two that she also thought were really good...My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle. Like the first two, these are also based on the novels of Marcel Pagnol, a Provencal writer. And like the first two, these are set in the Provence of the turn of the century, steeped in the beauty and culture of this quietly beautiful land. If you decide to view them, you should watch the Father one first. My Mother's Castle begins immediately after the end of My Father's Glory and makes more sense if you've watched them in the correct order. Again, I watched them in French with English subtitles which helps me be more engaged in the story, but still understand it. I won't spoil the fun by telling you the plots of both movies. I will tell you that they are simple and innocent stories of family love and values, of respect and acceptance. This is a family in which the adults are gentle and wise, the children act like children, and everyone desires the best for their loved ones. My Mother's Castle ends very differently than I expected. You'll have to watch the film to know why, but be sure you have a box of kleenex handy.

Manon of the Spring

I promised you a review of the rest of the Jean de Florette story and here it is...I watched Manon of the Spring (or Manon des sources as it's called in France) last evening. The review: there isn't any. I don't want to spoil it for you in case you decide to brave the French with English subtitles and watch it yourself. I will tell you that it is worth every bit of the effort it takes to watch a film in a foreign language. I will direct you as well to Isabelle's comment on my previous entry about this movie. It was a beautiful film about difficult human emotions and relationships. A caveat: my copy is rated PG. I would caution you that there is some tastefully filmed full frontal nudity as well as some graphic content that young children might be disturbed by. I think it's more of a PG13 movie.

Jean de Florette

Last week I blogged about one of the movies I watch when I need to vicariously visit France...French Kiss. A blog friend, Isabelle who lives outside of Paris, responded with some recommendations for other movies that I might enjoy. Taking her advice, I ordered them. This pair came on Friday, and I watched Jean de Florette last night. If you click on the link, you'll go to the Wikipedia entry about the movie. It explains the plot in detail and also relates how this movie and Manon of the Spring were filmed together over several months in the heart of Provence. Watching Jean last evening, I felt transported to rural Provence post WWI. This is rural Provence of the garrigue and of small poor farms and tiny villages, and not the Provence of lovely vineyards and luxurious chateaus. If you follow this link, you can see a map of the area around Vaugines where the movie was filmed. This is definitely 'my' part of Provence as I've spent time in some of the villages shown on the map.The story was a bit sad, but as it ended, I felt encouraged that Part II...Manon of the Spring will bring at least a sense of justice and retribution for the wrongs that Jean suffered. I'll let you know in my next blog entry as I plan to watch Part II tonight.

Thank you, Isabelle, for the great recommendations!