A Common Thread (Brodeuses)

A Common Thread/Sequins, or Brodeuses as it is called in France is a fantastic, must see movie if you are interested in embroidery. The film is about a young pregnant girl who gets a job doing couture embroidery with a woman who does work for Lesage and Lacroix. You see them stretching the fabrics over the frames, use the Luneville hook and hand sew pieces for some of the main fashion houses. I really enjoyed seeing inside the atelier and the various eye candy of the beads and sequins shown while they are stitching. Although this is an old movie from 2004, I just watched it for the first time today. As I watched the film, I worked on one of my embroidery projects and felt like I was working away along with them!

Someone had recommended it to me when they heard that I had studied at Lesage. I am so glad that I took their advice and watched it, and I hope you take some time to see it as well! Below is the French trailer for the movie, but don't worry... it is available with English subtitles!

Midnight in Paris

Today I went to see Woody Allen's new movie, " Midnight in Paris." Venturing out to Montparnasse, my boyfriend and I took our seats for the 11am movie. Morning movies in Paris are much cheaper and there are a lot less people, so we prefer to go to the early shows.

After sitting through 20 mins of previews, the movie started and we were presented with images of areas around Paris. There was Place Vendome, Les Invalides, Sacré Cœur, and of course the Eiffel Tower. My boyfriend and I had to control ourselves after about the first 5 times we leaned over to each other whispering "look that is Saint Michel!" or "Our apartment is right over there!!" I realized this was probably very annoying to the others in the movie theater with us.

I don't want to say too much about the movie so I don't spoil it for others, but I definitely recommend this movie for those who want to take a little trip to the city of lights. It is a light, easy watchable movie that takes you through Paris past and present with some cameos from characters such as Salvador Dali (played by Adrien Brody) and Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates). I loved the costumes in the Paris 20's scenes and wondered if I could get away with wearing a flapper dress today!?

Overall, both my boyfriend and I really enjoyed this movie and give it two Parisian thumbs up! I just wish that the "real" Paris was as clean and uncrowded as it was portrayed in the movie! I would love to sit in the gardens of Notre Dame with only one or two other people around me!... maybe if I go around 5am!