Diane Slawych 29.MAR.08
So many films, so little time. The 11th annual Cinéfranco, which runs from
Friday, March 28 to Sunday, April 6, 2008 at The Royal (608 College St) in
Toronto, is featuring 46 films from more than 10 countries and guest
filmmakers from Switzerland, Morocco and Quebec.
English Canada¹s largest celebration of Francophone cinema has strong
European content this year as usual.
Among the highlights is "Un Secret"
(The Secret) a new film by one of France¹s best known filmmakers, Claude
Miller (The Accompanist, Le Petite Voleuse, La Petite Lili). The drama stars
Patrick Bruel, Cécile de France, Ludivine Sagnier and Julie Depardieu who
was awarded the 2008 Cesar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
France remains at the heart of Cinéfranco with a line-up of exciting new
filmmakers such as Céline Sciamma (Naissance des Pieuvres) and celebrated
filmmakers including Jean Becker (Dialogue avec mon Jardinier), Claude Berri
(Ensemble c¹est tout), Claude Lelouch (Roman de Gare), and Thomas Gilou
(Michou d¹Auber).
Looking for a little French comedy? Try Eric Lavaine¹s Poltergay; On va
s¹aimer (Cheating Love) by Ivan Calbérac; or Gérard Pirès' outrageous parody
of James Bond films - Double Zéro (French Spies).
How about a French flick rooted in historic events? Laurent Boutonnat¹s
³Jacquou le croquant² is an epic drama about French peasant¹s rebellion
against the aristocracy in the 19th century; Paolo and Vittorio Taviani¹s
Le Mas des alouettes (The Lark Farm) explores the Armenian Genocide in
Turkey; while an Italian-French-Spanish-Bulgarian-British co-production
Michou d¹Auber starring Gérard Depardieu, exams the Algerian War from the
point of view of rural France.
Also notable is the Chad/Morocco/France co-production, DP 75 Tartina City,
which follows a young journalist¹s attempts to expose human rights
violations but ends up himself incarcerated in one of Chad¹s overcrowded
prisons.
Belgium cinema figures prominently at Cinéfranco this year with three
feature films including two from director Benoît Mariage; Les Convoyeurs
attendent (The Carriers Are Waiting), a bittersweet comedy, and Cowboy, a
dramatic comedy about a has-been journalist in the midst of a mid-life
crisis, who decides to locate the protagonists of the 25-year-old Sacchi
hostage-taking.
Finally, Cinéfranco will pay special tribute to Jean-Pierre Cassel, one of
France¹s most loved actors who passed away on April 19, 2007. The festival
will screen the 2007 musical comedy ³J¹aurais voulu être un danseur² (Gone
for A Dance) starring Cassel as a video store manager¹s father, whose son
becomes obsessed with becoming a tap dancer tossing off his grandfatherly
existence and embracing his new found passion.
Harbor, Harlingen (Credit: Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions)
In 2008, travelers to Holland can expand their Dutch horizons with a visit to the country’s best kept secrets. Under the title “A 1000 Dutch Delights,” the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) has launched a series of tips on the most unusual locations in Holland, sites not well known to the wider community. These “delights” have been selected throughout the country in the areas of Culture, History, Gastronomy and Lodging.
Holland offers cultural heritage gems such as beautiful historic towns, [more]
Toronto FC closed out the first ever Texas Pro Soccer Festival with a 3-2 victory over Chivas USA to finish 3rd overall in the tournament.
Conditions were less than ideal on the final day with heavy wind playing a factor in both matches that began Sunday afternoon. Toronto midfielder Carl Robinson returned to the team Saturday night after arriving home from Wales after the birth of his son to catch the final match in Texas. [more]
The 2008 Canada Cup Floorball Championship has attracted a North American record of 38 teams! This year's event in Toronto at the York University promises to be the most exciting floorball tournament ever on North American soil.
Global soccer star David Beckham, whose autograph is among the most sought-after in the world, uses a Sharpie marker to autograph jerseys for young fans at Seoul World Cup stadium following an exhibition match there. Beckham and Sharpie recently announced a global partnership that includes advertising, in-store promotions and more.
07.MAR.08
OAK BROOK, Illinois
- International Soccer Star David Beckham Inspires People to Write Out Loud!(TM) with Sharpie(R) Permanent Markers
Long recognized as the celebrity autograph marker of choice, Sharpie(R) brand is partnering with one of the world's most recognizable celebrities, global sports star David Beckham. Beckham, whose autograph is among the most sought-after in the world, will become Sharpie's global ambassador in a fully integrated global marketing campaign that rolls out initially in the United States in early March.
Sharpie, a flagship brand of Atlanta-based Newell Rubbermaid, will leverage Beckham's status as an international sports star to increase awareness of Sharpie not only as the preferred autograph marker, but also its many creative uses. [full story]
Nik Schritz, managing director Reh Kendermann GmbH (pictured left) and Carl Reh (right,) owner of Reh Kendermann and the iconic Black Tower wine brand
05.MAR.08
BINGEN, Germany
Ahead of its summer 2008 target, brand icon Black Tower, Germany's most widely exported wine brand, and one of the world's most powerful and enduring wine brands has smashed through its goal of one million 9lt annual case sales, worldwide.
Produced by family winery Reh Kendermann, managing director Nik Schritz explains the reason for the brand's ever increasing popularity: "Above all else, Black Tower's success is due to the award winning, premium quality of the wine, produced using modern winemaking skills. This, coupled with innovation has enabled Black Tower to attract a new generation of younger consumers around the world, and plays a key role in developing contemporary wine styles and packaging that appeal to consumers and buyers. We would like to thank our partners worldwide for their commitment and support. This is a superb team success." [more]
