Journalist at RFI (ex-DW, BBC, CBC, F24...), writer (on art, music, culture...), I work in radio, podcasting, online, on films.
As a writer, I also contributed to the New Arab, Art UK, Byline Times, the i Paper...
Born in Paris, I was based in Prague, Miami, London, Nairobi (covering East Africa), Bangui, and in Bristol, UK. I also reported from Italy, Germany, Haiti, Tunisia, Liberia, Senegal, India, Mexico, Iraq, South Africa...
This blog is to share my work, news and cultural discoveries.
"Italian director Matteo Garrone’s emotionally searing but ultimately uplifting epic, on the other hand, confines itself to the experience of Seydou, a 16-year-old boy from Senegal." - Hollywood Reporter
In the official competition at the Mostra de Venezia, Matteo Garrone took home the Silver Lion award for Best Director for the film, while Seydou Sarr won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor for the same title.
September has so far been a bittersweet time this year, and we're only mid-month...
Lots of good news on the personal level.
But I worry. About the bad decisions taken by France's elite, about the state of the UK, literally collapsing... About our inaction against the climate crisis (see my post on solutions in my newsletter here).
And there are so many catastrophes all over the world...
This fortnight, two of my dear friends also lost their dads, one of long disease, the other in horrific circumstance, in the earthquake in Morocco.
I'm trying to help and bring support, but there's so little I can do.
And so much to do, around.
I'm therefore grateful for the few good people who know the right words. Thank you for not given up on us when the times weren't so good.
When the earthquake hit I was in the hotel with a couple of French clients, I hurried to get everyone out of the hotel making sure nobody was hurt, and ran down the hill to check up on my family that was living about a 1km down the hill, screaming for help and wishing that everyone survived, in the dark I heard my father shouting ''everyone is okay son, our house is destroyed''. luck has been on our side, many of the villages surrounding were destroyed and its people were buried within.
The earthquake destroyed all the roads leading from all sides, and in a matter of seconds we were isolated from the world, the deads are dead and Their friends and families were there by themselves trying to get everyone from under the ground and rescue those who were still living, with basic equipments.
The Moroccan Army was flying the helicopters to get to us by air but it wasn't enough, people were dying and the surviving were dying of heat and thirst during the day, and hanger and cold during the nights.
3 days after the earthquake hit, the Moroccan people from the rest of the country came with food and clothes to help us. but still, we don't have tents to hide from the sun and sleep during the night, hoping that rain will not come soon.
I beg all of our kind hearts to help us to by some tents and rebuild our houses, so our families don't freeze in the winter that will come soon.
Thank you so much for every coin, Hamza from Tizi n'Test Morocco.
A woman searches through the rubble of a home in Imoulas village of the Taroudant province, one of the most devastated in quake-hit Morocco, on September 11, 2023. Moroccan rescuers supported by newly-arrived foreign teams on September 11 faced an intensifying race against time to dig out any survivors from the rubble of mountain villages, on the third day after the country's strongest-ever earthquake.
Europe lacks true European media: in Germany alone, there are more media devoted exclusively to football than news outlets specialising on Europe. The established players mainly focus on Brussels and European institutions.
The European Correspondent aims to change that. We cover the whole of Europe and write for a community of citizens who want to look beyond their own national borders. Without European journalism, there is no European civil society.
From late September onwards 'The Old Oak' from Ken Loach is out in the UK and in France.
The Old Oak pub becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees, placed in the village without any notice...
Presentation:
THE OLD OAK is a special place.
Not only is it the last pub standing, but it’s also the only remaining public space where people can meet in a once thriving mining community that has now fallen on hard times after 30 years of decline.
TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) the landlord hangs on to The Old Oak by his fingertips, and his predicament is endangered even more when the pub becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees who are placed in the village without any notice. In an unlikely friendship TJ meets a curious young Syrian Yara [Ebla Mari] with her camera.
Can they find a way for the two communities to understand each other?
So unfolds a deeply moving drama about their fragilities and hopes.
THE OLD OAK is directed by BAFTA winner Ken Loach, written by BAFTA winner Paul Laverty and produced by BAFTA winner Rebecca O’Brien for Sixteen Films, all of whom continue their long-time collaboration following acclaimed films including Sorry We Missed You and I, Daniel Blake.
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Ken Loach's films have been with us for many generations now, but in a year like 2023 very few other filmmakers have had to energy to remain so engaged with the collective and with the world around them.
Loach and his films are to be treasured.
I wrote about his latest films, and particularly loved 'The Angels' Share' and 'I, Daniel Blake'.
I also wrote about how his legacy influenced some of the new generation of British filmmakers, in 2016, for a French magazine.
Meeting him in person for a discussion about Palestine, at Bristol's Arnolfini art centre, was a highlight of a particularly difficult period for me.
Thank you, Mr Ken Loach, and I so look forward to see your new film!