Festival Internationale du Film Lesbien et Feministe, Paris
October 29th, 2006 | Uncategorized
Saturday I did a signing at this big lesbian film fest. There were hordes of women at the festival, maybe a thousand? They show films for the whole weekend and there are booths and discussions and stuff like that. French lesbians look more like American lesbians than French people in general look like American people in general. Though I still felt conspicuously lacking in flair. The women’s bookstore, Violette & Co., arranged for me…
to do a little discussion. But it was set up in the crowded, noisy cafeteria. Close readers of this blog may recall my moment of panic in Philadelphia last June when I showed up at Giovanni’s Room expecting to sign a pile of books, but instead walked into a roomful of people who were waiting for me to talk. The introvert’s nightmare.
So imagine me yesterday in this vast cafeteria, trying to shout in English, with a translator, over the sound of a thousand women talking and eating lunch, only some of whom were there to hear me. Oh, and add to that the fact that I didn’t have anything in particular prepared to say—I was expecting a more intimate question and answer kind of deal. C’etait un vrai cauchemar. After a feeble effort, I asked if we could please move somewhere that wasn’t so loud.
And so a bunch of women followed me off to the corner of a gallery and we had a very nice translator-facilitated discussion. I really wish I could speak French, because so much gets lost in translation. Still, the women were very kind to me. Because I felt bad about not doing a more coherent presentation, I drew pictures in everyone’s books, for two hours straight. I also met the lovely A. in Paris, who posts here. And a very kind woman named Lucy brought me a box of miraculous macaroons from Ladurée, une pâtisserie très elegante. Which were most welcome since it was 5pm and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
18 Responses to “Festival Internationale du Film Lesbien et Feministe, Paris”
Alison! Vous etes a Paris! Il faut manger plus!!!
I think lunch is the main meal for the French, on top of it all. Sending sympathies out to you. Enjoy some great food while you’re there!
Hi Alison,
My girlfriend Lucie was so happy to meet you! (I posted about our transatlantic relationship under “les premiers chose premier”.) Anyway, I am really glad you got the macaroons; she was worried she had missed you (your talk was over). I still insist that Pierre Herme has better macaroons than Ladurée, and I told her she should take you macaroons from both pastry shops (so you could compare), but I guess she ran short on time . . . I hope you enjoyed Paris!
To Monica – if you and Lucie are seriously into macaroons, may I recommend a hike up to metro Jourdain to sample the wares at “Le 140”, rue de Belleville?
Sorry about that, Alison. We Parisian dykes may look like American lesbians, mostly – or the ones who show up at lesbian film fests certainly do – but where food is concerned, we’re French. Macaroons *are* serious business, even without considering how the cream filling can be slowly licked out from between the two scrumptious halves of meringue. Very effective when done while looking one’s lover straight in the eye, but a bit much to inflict on anyone not clearly willing to be ravished on the spot. 🙂
The talk-in-noisy-cafeteria idea was indeed so embarrassingly dumb that I feel obliged to offer vicarious apologies on behalf of the presumably-fellow-French-dyke(s) who dreamed that up. Their only possible excuse has to be that they failed to imagine that an all-lesbian crowd would not immediately fall silent when they realized who you were.
A. –
After having read about a number of instances of miscommunications regarding what is being advertised/expected at your events, would it be possible for you to just carry your iBook and accompanying materials with you, just in case you are expected to give a talk? It seems like being overprepared, while maybe a lot of work, might help to quell anxiety and avoid awkward situations in future.
Just a suggestion from a nervous nelly pal.
–S. in Madison
Actually _the_ place for macarons in Paris is Mulot (www.gerard-mulot.com) and nowhere else. Trust me.
A. in Paris,
I am highly recommending that my girlfriend bring me macaroons from “Le 140” when she comes for Christmas. Thank you for the suggestion (including the naughty one ; ) . . . are there any flavors you can recommend? Personally, I am a huge fan of macaroon café but have been known to try new flavors in the name of sugar and for the sake of my taste buds.
Olivier,
Thanks for your suggestion. I might have to do a macaroon-off the next time I am in Paris. I am not sure my girlfriend will be willing to run around all of Paris before catching her airplane to indulge me in this delictable pursuit. I wonder if macaroon parties exist? . . . well, I may very well have one the next time I am in Paris. Something to look forward to!
Mulot is very central: near the Marché St-Germain; if you are in Paris for tourism, it will be in your catchment area, so to speak. They are what I miss most about Paris: Proust had his madeleines, for me it’s the macarons de chez Mulot. Eat them with some reverence when you do! And, by the way, could you all please stop saying “macaroon”? It’s “macaron” (just one ‘o’).
Actually, Olivier, the word “macaroon” is listed in the venerable Oxford English Dictionary (and, yes the definition fits : “a small cake or biscuit consisting chiefly of ground almonds, white of egg, and sugar”. True, our French macarons involve two of those stuck together with cream filling, but the word does exist in English.) And I’ll certainly check out Mulot, thanks for the tip.
as an American, I’m only familiar with macaroons. they aren’t the same as what A. in Paris and others have described. macarons sound much more delectable.
amazing what can be learned online!!
Sorry to butt in and add to the growing confusion about macaroons but I don’t agree with you at all Olivier, G. Mulot is not the right place for macaroons/macarons, they are too sweet and they lack the delicacy and flavour of those from Pain de sucre (14 r Rambuteau 75003 PARIS), or Hermé (72 r Bonaparte 75006 PARIS).
Monica, never heard about a macaroon party, it is a good idea, may be A in Paris has some further suggestions on how it could be carried out ? 🙂
Hey ; ),
I had never heard of Pain de sucre . . . I will definitely have to try it. Anyway, all this talk is really making me miss Paris and my honey. I am not sure when I will next have the opportunity to be in Paris, but I am definitely planning on throwing un fête de macaron ou macaron fête and combining it with a movie night.
I am actually having a movie night this Saturday . . . Imagine You and Me, Saving Face, Todo Sobre Mi Madre, and a few other films are some of the choices. Alas, no macaroons for this gathering, but I might go over to Stephane’s Bakery for croissants et pains au chocolat. I live in Massachusetts so if anybody is in the neighborhood, you’re invited! Hopefully, Alison will be back from Europe and will join us : ).
Hey just a quick post to thank you for signing my book even though I wasn ‘t at the mots à la bouche! Thank you also for drawing a cute little Mo. I have been a fan since I discovered the DTWOF at A Different Light book store in New York. No enough of a fan though because I didn’t know you were going to do an appearance in Paris the day bought your last book, dammit! Are you planning on staying in Paris on your way back home??
A quick word about macarons, as a born and raised parisian, I can tell you that the best maracons are the Laduree (especially vanilla) at la MAdeleine, aclassic!
I am enjoying the macaroon side discussion. I went to Laduree three times when I was last in Paris. Each time, I was seduced by a pastry I call The Rose Bomb. It has so many ingredients in it, including profiterole, raspberry jam, some kind of creamy custard, whipped cream, rose essence, a raspberry and a rose petal on top.
Next time, I must try all of the macaroons people have mentioned here.
I am *so* jealous of the trip to Paris. I love the place and I don’t even have fans there.
For those who’ve never seen an actual french macaron (macroons are something else altogether), there is a whole photo gallery of them at this Flickr URL:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboppy/sets/72157594326798704/
What a torture!
I am sorry to interrupt the discussions about macarons in Paris (especially for a food chemist) but what was the title of the book you signed, Alison?
Thanks.
Alison
thanks fot the interview. I’m listening for it and it’s very good. Enchantée de vous avoir rencontrée !