CULTURE CRITICS

Augustin Trapenard on literature, Amobe Mevegue on music, Sean Rose on exhibitions, Jessica Michault on fashion, Lisa Nesselson on cinema and Stephen Clarke on the way the French are perceived in the English-speaking world. From Monday to Friday at 9.45 am.

Tune in for some Gossip and Garbage
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Tune in for some Gossip and Garbage

In today's show, our music critic Valli brings us "A Joyful Noise," the third album from American power trio Gossip. We also get a sneak peek at the much-anticipated album "Not Your Kind of People" from bubblegum pop group Garbage.
Daniel Buren turns Paris' Grand Palais into a monumental kaleidoscope
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Daniel Buren turns Paris' Grand Palais into a monumental kaleidoscope

In today's show we head to the biggest exhibition of the week, Daniel Buren's "Monumenta" which is taking over Paris' Grand Palais with a kaleidoscope of colours. We also get a preview of another major Parisian exhibit filling up the Palais de Tokyo. The unmissable "La Triennale" which takes place every three years, showcases the work of 113 contemporary artists from over 40 countries.
Why the Brits are disappointed in the French election results
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Why the Brits are disappointed in the French election results

Coming up in today's Carte Blanche, Stephen Clarke explains why British and American press were trying to influence the election, to get the French to vote for their favourite candidate, Monsieur Sarkozy, and why, as usual, the French ignored the advice of the "Anglo-Saxons" and elected François Hollande.
The beat goes on for "On the Road" author Jack Kerouac
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The beat goes on for "On the Road" author Jack Kerouac

Coming up in today's literary review, we pay our respects to "Where the Wild Things Are" creator Maurice Sendak, children's literature icon who's died at age 83. Also on the show, we look at the Kerouac revival going on here in France. With a film adaptaion of "On the Road", the original 120-foot scroll on display for the first time in Paris and two previously unpublished works by the Beat Generation icon just out, Augustin Trapenard will prove that the beat definitely does go on!
Johnny Depp Stars in Tim Burton’s ‘Dark Shadows'
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Johnny Depp Stars in Tim Burton’s ‘Dark Shadows'

In today's show our movie critic Lisa Nesselson gives her take on two films about troubled dynasties. First, pop superstar Madonna's second directorial feature "W.E." about an extravagant love affair between American socialite Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII who abdicated his throne to marry her. Also up for review, Tim Burton's much hyped "Dark Shadows" featuring (who else?) Johnny Depp who plays an unwilling vampire who's been released after 200 years of entombment into 1972.
"Born and bred Brooklyn U.S.A. They call me Adam Yauch but I'm M.C.A"
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"Born and bred Brooklyn U.S.A. They call me Adam Yauch but I'm M.C.A"

In today's show we pay homage to one of the founding members of 1980s rap pioneers "The Beastie Boys" Adam Yauch, alias MCA, who died after battling cancer for the past three years. Also on the programme a "Toast to Freedom" as Amnesty International celebrates 50 years with an album featuring the talents of Carly Simon, Jane Birkin and Kris Kristofferson among others. We'll also hear from the 4th album of Bertrand Burgalat, one of the most respected producers/arrangers in France.
The esteemed Hyeres Festival
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The esteemed Hyeres Festival

The Hyeres Festival of Fashion and Photography is dedicated to young talents in France. It has been directed by Jean-Pierre Blanc since its inception. This year marks the festival’s 27th edition and the president of the fashion jury this time was the always inventive Yohji Yamamoto. 290 candidates applied to compete in the festival, and this was whittled down to 10 finalists.
The ghosts of the war
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The ghosts of the war

This week, we introduce you to two novels haunted by the ghosts of the war which served as a kind of therapy for the authors. France 24’s book critic Augustin Trapenard compares "Bereft" by Australian novelist Chris Womersley, which takes place in Australia in 1919, with William Wharton’s 1978 classic "Birdy".
'Madame Fisscher', Venice queen
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'Madame Fisscher', Venice queen

The exhibition "Madame Fisscher", in Venice's Palazzo Grassi, offers a journey through Urs Fisscher’s artistic career from the 1990s to today. Fisscher is an up-and-coming Swiss artist born in 1973. This show inaugurates a new cycle of one-man exhibitions staged by businessman and art sponsor François Pinault. At the centre of it is a nude model who walks around, embodying time.
Jurassic Rock
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Jurassic Rock

The group started off with the name Tyrannosaurus Rex, but since no one could write it, let alone pronounce it properly, it was shortened to T. Rex. Five albums by the group have just come out on Universal, including the one that secured them international stardom, "Electric Warrior".
'The Muppets' are back !
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'The Muppets' are back !

Out this week in France, on DVD and video on demand, is the first Muppets movie in 12 years, called simply "The Muppets." When Muppets creator Jim Henson started out as a puppeteer in the late 1950s it was unimaginable that ordinary people would be able to own their own copy of a motion picture on a practically weightless shiny disk.
Gilbert & George's maelstrom of media hysteria
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Gilbert & George's maelstrom of media hysteria

“Bomb”, “guns”, “jailed”, “killed”, “hell.” Over the past few years the iconic art duo Gilbert and George have collected more than 3,500 London newspaper sellers’ posters, cataloguing them according to the words which kept cropping up. France 24’s art critic Sean Rose looks at their latest exhibition which shows a society fixated on violence, sex and money.
From best sellers to blockbusters
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From best sellers to blockbusters

Today we look at two best sellers and two blockbuster film adaptations, all focusing on the fear and fascination of the far-right. As France’s National Front grab third place in the first round of the presidential elections, France 24’s book critic Augustin Trapenard discusses Suzanne Collins’ "The Hunger Games" and Steig Larsson’s "Millennium" trilogy, both of which have an anti-government theme running through them.
Matt Damon bought a zoo
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Matt Damon bought a zoo

"We Bought a Zoo" is a film about trying to work through grief by making big changes - such as quitting your job as an adventure journalist and buying a new residence that comes with a lion, three tigers and a north American grizzly bear. It's solid storytelling with appealing performances from Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson.
Norah Jones is back!
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Norah Jones is back!

At 33, Norah Jones is about to release her fifth album, "Little Broken Hearts". The young artist has been in the music business for ten years now and has sold 40 million albums worldwide. Norah Jones is the daughter of Ravi Shankar and has already shared the stage with big artists such as Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock and Outcast.
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