The Global Film Village

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Bastille Day in LA by Marla Lewin

// July 14th, 2009 // Industry Event

Filmmakers, Press, Government officials were there. The American and French national anthems were sung to celebrate both liberation and independence.  The French Consul General David Martinon spoke in English and then in French.  ”We are proud to be living in here in Los Angeles even when it was difficult at times recently. But the Americans and French, have always gotten along, we have fought together side by side never against each other. General Lafayette at the age of 24  fought with you for your revolution with 7000 french soldiers joining 9000 americans to defeat the British for your independence and still today in Afghanistan we are fighting together. Tonight we are drinking champaigne and wine in celebration.”

The Consul General likes Los Angeles so much he got married here 3 months ago.

He continued his toast by saluting “Hollywood as the home of Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, great actors, filmmakers, UCLA, Cal Tech, the Salk Institute, and computers, it is the most creative city in the world. So with balloons of red, white, and blue we toast the towns, the sister cities  of Los Angele and Bordeaux”.

Chevalier medals were given to two women for distinguished achievement by the Consul General.

There was plenty of pate and a selection of cheeses, but no cake for the celebrants.

Afterwards, the party was scheduled to go on until 2 am with dj’s on the roof of the Pacific Design Center’s Blue Whale as we fondly call the building.