When is an onion not an onion?

When it's a political satire magazine from the USA. Hadn't heard of NewsBiscuit or The Daily Mash either, both of which are British publications. Notice the food related titles: Onion, Biscuit and Mash. Rather a French trait that!

All three were mentioned in an article about political satire (p.s.), which suggested that it is a far bigger deal in France than in the UK.

We've had our fair share of p.s. in the UK. And for some time. But by comparison to France, mostly on television and radio and rather spasmodically. Whereas in France it is mostly in print and online.  There are some exceptions of course. I mustn't forget Private Eye in the UK and here currently on French television channel TF1, there is a little satirical gem called C'est Canteloup. It's hilarious. 

On British t.v. That was the week that was really began it all, since when we've been treated to a stream of classy writing: The Thick of it, In the Loop, Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister, Have I got News for you, Bremner, Bird and Fortune, House of Cards. Found this guide to   British comedy/satire, but am not sure how up-to-date it is. Only a couple of years back there was some feeling that on the one hand, British satire had gone too far and on the other, that coalition government was too damn bland to satirise. Sadly in the interim we've lost a few these masters of the form, who might have found a way.  However an article by Alex Needham in The Guardian from 2102 reckons it's the 'Occupy' generation who are now set to produce exciting political satire in theatre and comedy venues. Great. It's about time, another generation took it on.

From this side of the Channel French cartoonists have always played an extremely important role in French society and from the moment mass-circulation of newspapers and magazines began. The 19th century caricaturist Honoré Daumier launched scathing attacks on the Bourgeoisie, with his caricature of King Louis Philippe landing him in prison for six months. He paved the way for modern cartoonists who in France, are generally accepted as presenting a more honest and realistic picture than that usually offered by official spin doctors - sorry, official sources.

Weekly publications include Le Canard enchaîné, Charlie Hebdo and L'Echo des Savannes, which was originally founded by three cartoonists: Claire Bretécher, Marcel Gotlin and Nikita Mandryka. It was Charlie Hebdo that published the controversial Danish drawings depicting Mohammed with a bomb under his turban.

The best-know and longest-standing cartoonist is Jean Plantureux known as Plantu. His work appears on the front page of Le Monde, and is best known for the irritation he cause with Sarkozy. George Wolinski's drawings appear in Charlie Hebdo and even on occasions, Paris Match. Another very popular and prolific cartoonist is Jean Cabut, known as Cabu. He is credited with the term Beauf - a shortened version of beau-frère, which is now part of the national vocabulary and refers to a particular type of right-winger.

Being a non-native speaker, French political caricatures and drawings can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. But they're well worth the effort, because of the insight they give to French politics and society. I've really only just started getting into this sort of stuff. My accelerated interest is entirely due to Mr. Hollande. Donc, merci monsieur.

The mushroom that got away

We had a fondue yesterday. Something that we do over here quite often but a stock based fondue rather than oil. A style of fondue-ing which we first came across years ago in Majorca. The beef is very finely sliced, then rolled up and basically poached in the stock, rather than fried. For carnivores it's delicious but not, if you're not. It's easy to slice finely if the meat is first frozen and then allowed to defrost just enough to cut through it. The flavour is great. 

Quite a simple fondue it was, but lovely, with freshly prepared salad and French dressing; oven baked chipped potatoes - a recipe I found on the internet: Tablespoon of olive oil per 400gms of pototoes and plenty of seasoning. Leave skins on the potatoes but scrub them well, then quarter them till they look vaguely chip-like. Put all the potatoes into the seasoned oil. Mix well and then put them into a hot oven for about 35/40 minutes. They are soooo good.  Just enough oil for them to cook and bags of flavour. Mushrooms - which we buy fresh from a local producer, were duly wiped clean and then quartered this into sizeable pieces, as they were reasonably sized. Various dips, mustards etc.

As usual it was the mushrooms that caused the problems. Why do they always escape and float around in the fondue pot? They're so difficult to catch, hiding as they do under the all fondue forks or whatever they're called. Inevitably you get accused of having knicked someone's else's mushroom. Not to mention any names of course.

Not that I often read articles about the genetic code, but one recently discussed the 40% of DNA that humans share with the mushroom. I don't know if the percentage changes with different mushrooms - so please no one ask me! The reassuring words at the end of another feature, that we're not,  " . . . committing cannibalism when we eat a mushroom risotto",  came as sharp relief. I couldn't face the idea of going into the market on Thursday and saying to Madame Champignon, otherwise known as Chantelle, that I could no longer buy her mushrooms as it was a cannibalistic act to eat them. Somehow I don't think she would have understood, and in any case we like mushroom risottos, especially when they're made with Shitake mushrooms. Humans and mushrooms apparently split into two groups about 1. 5 billion years ago.  

As for the other genetic comparisons that were mentioned - well they really offered an excuse for all the anthropomorphic behaviour that humans can indulge in. Apparently we're 90% cat, 80% cow, 75% and 75% mouse. Fortunately most of these things won't make it into a fondue, but it does make you wonder about the qualities that make us uniquely human.

The longest ever wine-tasting?

Vines in water near Chinon

If I say it all began at 10.30am and finished around 4pm,  a few responses would be - tell us something new. You seem to do this all the time in France.  Well, yes! But then the French do it with such style, and in truth it wasn't planned in this way. One thing led to another and suddenly it was four o'clock in the afternoon.

Where were we? At Nicholas and Marielle Pointeau's Le Domaine de la Sablière - terrific young wine producers, over in Crouzilles, who we started visiting about a year or so ago.  A quick/easy drive from Cravant. We've been a number of times for different events. The last was just before Christmas, for their seasonal market. Terrific. There's a walk and porte ouverte coming up in April, so if not before, we'll go over again then. This visit was slightly different as we went with neighbours who had tasted their wine at our place.

If I remember correctly, both Nicholas and Marielle come from wine producing families, but in his case, there was a skip between generations, meaning wine production went from grandfather to grandson. Le Domaine de la Sablière have a lovely range of wines and also are into marketing, which is both well produced and perfectly pitched. They are very together.

Our neighbours Jacqueline (1) & Norbert and Jacqueline (2) & Alain suggested we went over together for a tasting. Great idea. So last Saturday we went, the idea being to come back to our place for an apèro type bite afterwards. There was a slight change to plan.Two of J&N's grandchildren came over, so Jacqueline stayed to look after them and Norbert came with the rest of us to Crouzilles. Afterwards we'd collect the apèro bits and pieces and take everything to Jacqueline and Norbert's house, who live just round the corner from us. That way Jacqueline didn't miss out entirely.

Off we went to Crouzilles. Domaine Sablière have just won a gold medal for their rosé at Angers, so we began with that and then steadily tried all the reds, including L'Ancestrale which is particularly good and was the one that the others had tried at our place. We were with Marielle. Had a great time, a great chat and an excellent tasting. A few purchases were made and then back we came to Cravant. Somewhere along the line after a few glasses of fizzy, including a delicious red fizzy that Marielle had given us to have together and all sorts of little things to eat, coupled with the fact that everyone was having a good time, it was decided to make lunch. The other Jacqueline 2 shot round to collect something from their house. Meanwhile Jacqueline 1 was sorting out salad and cheese. We had a good selection of wine, but then Norbert opened some red. Jacqueline 2 returned with a gorgeous piece of cerf (deer) to be cooked, during which Jacqueline 1 rustled up a potato gratin. It was all fabulous. Then cheese and salad arrived and a chocolate mousse. 

What neighbours!!! What a great time. If I'd thought about it, I should have made a reservation for this coming weekend. Who the hell needs Heston Blumenthal when you've got neighbours like this.

Suffer little children to come unto me - or not!

We've both been cold ridden. I guessing that's marginally better than being flea-ridden, but just as annoying.  Fortunately we'd seen the back of our lurgies in time for the cinéplus showing of Philomena in Chinon. I took several packets of tissues with me - just in case. Having the propensity to blub, it seemed a sensible precaution.

As it turned out, I was mainly tearless until towards the very end. I don't want to give the impression that I wasn't engaged with the film. I was. But somehow, whilst the wonderful performances and compelling story completely sucked me in, at the same time I had space to observe all the complicated issues and nuances in a dispassionate way. That was a quite an achievement, given how close certain aspects of the film resonated with my own life.

Cruelty can take so many forms. In Philomena's story we're faced with the psychological kind as well as physical cruelty. It was bad enough that the young girls were so mistreated, but the viscious punishment for their 'sin' - separation with a hefty dose of lying - was also served on their babies. 
 
I'm just hoping that everyone reading this has seen the film. If not . . . spoiler alert . . . 

There was such irony towards the end. Now a fully grown young man, Philomena's son Michael with a successful political career - a world where economy with the truth is an accepted part of the brief - is systematically lied to by representatives of the Catholic Church. He remains unsuspecting of their treachery, accepting everything he is told, and takes with him to his grave, the belief that his mother has abandoned him. It takes your breathe away, that such a notion could be regarded as the best option for the Church's notion of unacceptable pregnancy. But at the time, it was.

Michael's life it seems has been a cycle of lies - those he was born into and those he has created. As a grown man and a gay man, working for Reagan and the Republican party, Michael's lifestyle is directly at odds with the party line, so another lie is born and perpetuated.

The film seems to reinforce the idea that once set in motion, it is impossible to break the cycle.  However Philomena's determination to find her son and to extract the truth, was an attempt to do just that. She succeeded and in some ways, has helped free us all.

A personal crusade?

We were in Chinon last night for a showing of Saving Mr. Banks (SMB) or as it is known in France, Dans l'ombre de Mary. The evening had been organised as a fundraiser for Rotary. We know a few people now who are involved with the Chinon branch. Some French, some English. A special Rotary promo film was shown first of all. Very well put together and very interesting to see the range of projects that Rotary supports and in so many countries.

If not yet seen, but if the moment arrives, have a look at this film. It was terrific, even though it was dubbed in French. The hurdle the dubbing presented was that the voices didn't have the sound of the central characters. An essential layer in what is after all a period piece. We're thinking that it would have been better sub-titled. So, we're not sure how completely the film worked last night for what was a primarily French audience. The nuances would have been difficult to pick up.  All of which was highlighted by a fab surprise at the very end. Don't want to say too much. But for anyone who hasn't seen SMB, it's a gem of a surprise.

How many times have we've seen Mary Poppins? At a rough guess a dozen. And on tv., never in the cinema. Shamefully, given my theatre background and love of reading, I have never read the book, and worse, never once thought about the author. My entire knowledge of the story and the characters comes from the Mary Poppins film. Given the focus of Saving Mr. Banks, that is why for me the film was initially so intriguing. 

There was/is of course more to it. I can't draw informed parallels between P.L.Travers and J.K.Rowling, but there seem to be some. For example, tough lives at times for both.  After what we saw last night, and being aware of the impact that J.K.Rowling and her books have had, one wonders how different the two women may have been, in their approach towards the production companies making their films. Both, one assumes, were wanting to avoid the over Hollywoodification (yes  - such a word exists!!) of the source material and protect its integrity. 

As SMB showed, although P.L.Travers clearly drove the Disney team up the wall, without her vociferous determination, the redemption of the father figure towards the end in Mary Poppins would never have happened. It was a powerful moment in the film last night, and I think for both sides - when Disney acknowledged, after all the disagreements, that the author on this point was bang on the mark, and for P.L.Travers to finally loosen up enough, to acknowledge and approve what the team brought to this particular scene. For once both sides were on the same wave-length.

Certainly the cathartic effect that the making of Mary Poppins had on the author, was a surprise. If I'd been more aware of the story of P.L.Travers's early life, this probably wouldn't have had such an impact. Rather it would have been expected, particularly as SMB is very much the story of the making of the film and the experiences that influenced the author. As it was the balance between flashback and 'current' in SMB, was beautifully handled - the one informing the other, rather than taking over. It was quite moving.

As you'd expect the film follows a particular path and needless to say, there's an awful lot more that wasn't included. The link gives some background. P.L.Travers really didn't like Mary Poppins. We on the other hand did enjoy Saving Mr. Banks, and are glad we went.

Next film up is Philomena - must remember to take two boxes of tissues and no eye make-up!








 

Who'd have thought it. . .

Forest - Cravant

There are all sorts of statistics provided when you're writing a blog. How many hits being the most interesting. Apart from that bit of information, I don't pay that much attention. Until this morning. There on my info page was a note saying there'd been,10,000 views of my blog. I did a double take.  Can't believe it!  So to everyone out there who've donated some time to read my ramblings - many thanks! Really appreciate it.

Where has January gone?

Rain again

How come we're in February?  What happened to January? Can someone tell me? Where did it go?  Every year it's the same thing. 1st January arrives, then suddenly it's the lst of February with only 28 days to play with. A short month. So how come it never feels short and January always does. Quite bizaare this time business.

Have got Mendlessohn's 2nd Symphony blasting away in the background. Not something I listen to very often. Probably only the second time ever! But it was mentioned on a friend's blog and described as rarely performed, so felt the need to re-acquaint myself. Requires a full choir and I think three soloists, not forgetting an orchestra. Not a symphony that I've heard talked about very much either. Can't say it's one of my favourites, but it's a rousing piece of work nonetheless. 

Well who'd have thought. Centre Parcs is coming to Chinon - or at least just outside. Mike came rushing in with the news. I thought for a moment he was doing an early warm-up for April Fools day, known here as Poisson d'avril.  But then he sent me a link - and clearly it isn't. Not heard a squeak about this from anyone or read anything. If it's built and run as well as all the others, should be very good for the town. 

A lovely log fire this afternoon got me reflecting on the difficulties of buying a shower hat. I do possess a shower hat, but it been losing it's chutzpah. Meaning it's letting the water in when it's meant to keep the water out. This lack of commitment has been going on for some time. Started last summer and got steadily worse. After a severe talking to there was no improvement, so I set about finding a replacement. 

Well. Chinon might be getting a Centre Parcs village, but can I get a shower cap anywhere. No chance. Absolutely nothing. Even at Leclerc. Needs must, I checked on Amazon. Even that wasn't straightforward. Finally found a simple plain white shower cap and ordered it on line. The postage was more than it was. Anyway four days later, a largish box arrived in our mail box from Amazon - 20 cms square. (7/8 inches to the metrically uninformed). We'd ordered some CDs at the same time, as Amazon had a special offer on. So ripped open the box in anticipation of a night of interesting viewing, only to find the box contained my single solitary shower hat, which I almost threw out with all the packing paper. It was hilarious.  The CDs came the next day - in a box half the size.  

The new shower cap by the way, works brilliant as do the CDs. Watched one this evening The Age of Innocence otherwise known in French as Le Temps de L'Innocence. Stellar cast who did a fantastic job. Beautifully filmed. Had completely forgotten it was a Martin Scorcese film.