Last night we attended a program sponsored by the Alliance Française of Brisbane and the Griffith Film School. The private screening featured Jean Renoir’s film about the Moulin Rouge and French Cancan. It was a wonderful evening seeing this glorious film in color and original soundtrack. Jean Gabin the famous French actor was the star. The film tells the story of how the Moulin Rouge got started in 1889. This is coincidentally the same year the Eiffel Tower was completed so I had a great interest to see how the era was portrayed.
After the screening a panel discussion included two former Moulin Rouge dancers! Anita Kertland and Marissa Burgess told us of their experiences as Australian dancers doing the cancan and many behind the scenes stories. The evening culminated in wine and hors d’œuvres on the beautiful Griffith Film School patio. Being back in a film school felt like goinf home to the UCLA Film School (Thank you Donna Hamilton for showing me around the studios). And I am especially happy to have made new connections with the Alliance. It has made my connection to France through Australia all the sweeter.
