CULTURE CRITICS

Virginie Herz on photography, Amobe Mevegue on music, Sean Rose on exhibitions, Jessica Michault on fashion, Lisa Nesselson on cinema and Sylvia Whitman on literature... Every evening, our culture critics give you the lowdown on the latest trends. Monday to Friday at 8.50 pm.

'The Parisian Comedy' at the Petit Palais
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'The Parisian Comedy' at the Petit Palais

Sean Rose is taking us to the Petit Palais in Paris, to see a retrospective of the French artist Jean-Louis Forain called “The Parisian Comedy”. As a contemporary of Manet and Degas, Forain was considered the most incisive of the French Impressionists. He was famous for his caricatures and his sarcastic portrayal of society.
Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival
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Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival

Jessica Michault is taking you to the most prestigious Festival of Fashion and Photography dedicated to young talents in France, the Festival of Hyères. Plus Mélanie Laurent, named the Master of Ceremonies for the 64th Cannes film festival, talks about her fashion sensibilities. And, Lanvin has announced that it is launching a children's collection.
Hitler in Hollywood
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Hitler in Hollywood

Lisa Nesselson is here to tell us about an international conspiracy to control the European film industry. "H.H. - Hitler in Hollywood" by Belgian director Frederic Sojcher and starring actress Maria de Madeiros hits French screens today. Plus, the Disney biopic "Secretariat" about the greatest racehorse who ever lived, will be out next week on DVD.
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New reggae madness
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New reggae madness

Amobe Mevegue brings us the best in international musical trends. To start, the King of African Pop, Roga Roga and his new international tour. Next, we check out the African music festival in Paris "Afrique En Scene." We conclude in Jamaica with one of the best roots reggae performers ever, Harrison Stafford's new single "Roller Coaster."
'The Art of The Automobile'
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'The Art of The Automobile'

Ralph Lauren has just opened the exhibit "The Art of The Automobile" in Paris, with some of the most historic and imaginative cars in his collection. Plus, Alexander McQueen's most iconic pieces photographed for the Met Costume Institute's upcoming Gala. And on royal wedding day, we take a look back at some of the most memorable gowns.
Memory and emotional inheritance in literature
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Memory and emotional inheritance in literature

A major function of literature is to tell stories of the past, to unveil memories and to make sure that younger generations never forget. Augustin Trapenard introduces two books with that kind of emotional inheritance in the great tradition of Jewish American literature: "Collected Stories" of Isaac Singer and Nicole Krauss' "Great House".
'Thor', the Norse god of thunder
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'Thor', the Norse god of thunder

Our film critic, Lisa Nesselson, presents two films out in France. "Thor," directed by Kenneth Branagh, is a rollicking 3-D adventure about the Norse God of Thunder. And, the Australian film "Animal Kingdom," written and directed by newcomer David Michod.
Raphael Saadiq's new feat
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Raphael Saadiq's new feat

International musical trends with Amobe Mevegue begins this week with young African artist Blick Bassy and continues with one of the greatest rappers of all time, the former member of the Wu Tan Clan, Raekwon. Then we hear from the Moroccan group Binobin. But first we meet up with the infamous Raphael Saadiq on his European tour.
Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus
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Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus

Sticking with the seasonal theme of Easter, Sean Rose is taking us to the Louvre to see “Rembrandt and the Face of Christ.” We look at the great 17th century Dutch painter’s famous and revolutionary paintings of Jesus Christ, based off a Jewish model.
Fashion Week Tunis, after the revolution
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Fashion Week Tunis, after the revolution

Jessica Michault takes us to Tunisia for the third edition of Fashion Week Tunis. She follows the event year after year, and has noticed many changes this time around since the revolution. Plus, the male burqa - we take a look at young Tunisian designer Amine Bendriouich's latest unisex collection.
The heart of the American psyche
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The heart of the American psyche

Money has always been at the heart of the American psyche, and given the recent recession, it's not surprising that literature is now taking a shot at finance. Augustin Trapenard tells us about two contemporary novels that epitomise the recent changes of American society: "The Privileges" by Jonathan Dee, and "The Financial Lives of the Poets" by Jess Walter.
Plugging into alternate realities
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Plugging into alternate realities

Our film critic, Lisa Nesselson, encourages us to see two films that share the theme of alternate realities. The first is "Source Code", an existential drama about what constitutes a job well done. The second is the DVD edition of Walt Disney's "Alice in Wonderland", a timeless classic that still does a very nice job of plugging us into alternate realities.
Raphael Saadiq, the new ambassador of soul
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Raphael Saadiq, the new ambassador of soul

We take a closer look at Raphael Saadiq, the Californian artist who has just released his new album, "Stone Rollin". But also: in a tribute to Miles Davis, Marcus Miller is on stage for a few exceptional concerts with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Finally, we discover "Ethnophony", the first solo album of the Congolese artist Fredy Massamba.
Best hidden secret in the contemporary art world
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Best hidden secret in the contemporary art world

We’re heading for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in the Spanish Basque country with Sean Rose. This masterpiece of contemporary architecture, designed by Frank Gehry and flagship of Bilbao city, is staging "The Luminous Interval", a selection of works from the Daskalopoulos Collection.
Do the French have royal wedding envy?
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Do the French have royal wedding envy?

It's Carte Blanche today with Stephen Clarke as we reach fever pitch with news on UK's royal wedding. Stephen has brought with him several royal souvenirs, from tea towels to humorous music clips to dinner plates, all officially and unofficially celebrating the upcoming national holiday.
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