You are too, too kind. I really appreciate your comments because while I love what I do, I’m horrible at promoting myself. As I get more comfortable, I promise I’ll share any interesting stories I might have.

I haven’t seen The Castle but will look into it if it’ll help me speak Australian!

Translators? {Aha! No wonder your English rocks so well, Julien!} Six languages, Elyse? Sacre bleu!

Sorry to hear that The Castle isn’t available in France, Julien. Elyse, have you seen it? It’s a little gem and it would definitely add to your Aussie vocabulary 🙂 .

Sorry, I haven’t seen The Black Balloon or Nothing is Private, though apparently both were released in cinemas here. You sure are a Toni C fan, Julien!

I hope you do brave it and share more of your own experiences, Elyse {without getting into trouble 😉 }. You write so beautifully, I’m sure you can find a way of doing it without feeling like you are blowing your own horn. I will hang from your every word! {As will Julien and your other loyal followers, I’ll bet.}

I’m really glad you liked Frozen River! It’s a small movie that deserves to be seen. It obviously didn’t have a big marketing budget to I’m trying to do my part in spreading the word.

I’m very much a fan of Tom Tykwer. Run, Lola, Run is such an awesome movie. I’ve also seen The Princess and the Warrior and Paris, Je T’aime, in which he directed a segment. Many years ago, I shot a film in Berlin for two months and picked up a bit of German while there. I got to work with Martin Semmelrogge from Das Boot, Ingo Naujoks and Nadeshda Brennicke. Don’t know if any of those names mean anything to you.

Yes, my friend is Tomas Romero. I’m very happy for him that his script got made with Simon in the lead! As for me, I’m too shy to boast about some of the things I’ve done (this might change over time :-)) but let’s just say I started this blog partly to share fun “insider” tidbits.

You’ll find this a funny coincidence but I sometimes work as a translator, too! There’s a need for Vietnamese interpreters here (yes, I’m still fluent) in the social services/court system so I help people when they go through hearings or arbitration or just to a doctor’s office. I’m also fascinated by languages (at one point, I spoke 6) and that’s why ShelleyP’s Aussie-isms interest me.

Thanks for reporting back on your Frozen River experience. I’m still waiting to hear what you think about Doubt and Benjamin Button!

PCN, I read somewhere that you liked Tom Tykwer, so do I!
I’m surprised that you know this German director and even more surprised that you know “Run, Lola, run” (his “Perfume” is more famous on the international level).
I can’t remember much from his “Heaven” (yet starring Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi) but I really enjoyed “The Princess and the Warrior” (with Franka ‘Lola’ Potente), which I recommend!

Didn’t know you were from Vietnam, by the way! I don’t know which age corresponds to second grade, but your English is totally perfect.
And quoting Françoise Hardy is a real feat, nice one!
Do you still speak Vietnamese too?
For the record, I work as a translator, that’s why I’m always interested when it comes to languages (thus my questions to our Aussie friend)!

PCN, you met Hugh Jackman and were invited to a big film set (is your friend Tomas Romero?), I’m impressed! What else did you not tell us?! Make us envious! 😉
You may end directing, writing or playing in one of those movies! How great would that be, huh?!

ShelleyP (I was going to write SheilaP, just for fun, but oops, I don’t want a lettuce leaf spank!), I watched “The Castle” trailer and it made me want to watch the whole film!
Guess how frustrated I was when I dicovered it had never been released here in France, neither in theaters nor on DVD… Dammit!

Talking of Aussie movies, has anyone of you heard about or even seen a movie called “The black balloon” with Toni Collette?
The trailer is good and the reviews too. Not sure it will be released on a large scale…
And about Toni Collette (as I said, I’ve been a huge fan of her since “Muriel’s wedding”!), I recently learnt she was part of the casting of “Towelhead” a.k.a. “Nothing is private” directed by Alan Ball! Any opinion about this film? We’ll have it in July over here, I can’t wait to see it (“Six feet under” probably is the most clever series I’ve ever seen!).

Well, that’s all for now, guys!
Best thoughts from France! 😉

What a shame you weren’t able to go on set … that’s fantastic about your friend writing and co-producing it. I’m a real chicken {in this instance, we say ‘chicken’ not ‘chook’!} when it comes to creepy/spine tingling/scarey movies, though, so I don’t think even the lure of watching Simon Baker for a couple of hours will be enough to have me watching this one!

As for Hugh … well, sigh.

I’ll hop on that plane with you and bring some wet noodles, too!:-)

I noticed you said “hire” The Castle. Is that another colloquialism? We’d say “rent.” Ha! I picked up another one!

I had a chance to see Simon Baker in person but I wasn’t available. Isn’t that nuts? A friend of mine wrote and associate produced a new movie starring Simon (here’s the film’s website) and invited me to the set in New Mexico. I happened to be in NM for a few days on other business but the scheduling didn’t work out for me to squeeze in a set visit. Drats!

My first language is Vietnamese. I went to a private school in Saigon and was taught French starting from kindergarten. But I was only in second grade when we had to leave and then I had to learn English once we got to the States and eventually, regrettably, forgot most of my French. At one time, I was able to sing along to Francois Hardy records! (“Tous les garcons et les filles…”)

When I was a child, Herge and Peyo were my heroes. I loved everything Peyo did, including Les Schtroumpfts. I also read Johan et Pirlouit but Benoit was my favorite. I just loved how strong he was and he’s so cute in his beret and scarf!

Yes, I got to see Hugh Jackman in person, on the day he was announced Sexiest Man Alive, and he was dressed in black leather. I’d say they got that title quite right! My husband even worked with him briefly on a project. My husband said when he first met Hugh, Hugh stuck out his hand to shake my husband’s. My husband flinched ’cause he thought steel knives might flick out from between Hugh’s fingers and slash his hand off!

I agree there are plenty of talented Australians. I’m a fan of all those you mentioned (except Tina Arena and Sia Furler; have to research them), especially Cate Blanchett. I’ve seen her in person a few times and she’s impossible gorgeous with golden hair and poreless skin. I’ve seen Muriel’s Wedding several times and think Toni Collette can play anything. Muriel’s was directed by another Australian, P.J. Hogan, who directed yet another Aussie, Isla Fisher, in Confessions of a Shopaholic, which I’m seeing today. Will report back on how it is.

I’m always very proud of Aussies who make it overseas. Yes, I’ve seen Muriel’s Wedding – it’s a classic. If you ever spot The Castle, do hire it. It’s funny and endearing. And I’m rather fond of Tina Arena. I think it’s so cool that she lives in Paris. She nicked {stole} my fantasy life.

PCN: Like Julien, I am very envious that you got close to Hugh Jackman. But I think I’d faint if you breathed in the vicinity of Simon Baker! Hubba hubba – what can I say.

Thanks to you both for your French references!

PCN, I didn’t know about you having learnt French, how great!
But what is your native language if it’s not English (that you speak totally perfectly!)?

Bravo for your childhood readings! Actually, I had never heard of Benoit Brisefer before! I searched on the Internet and discovered this character was created by the Belgian cartoonist Peyo. The guy is mostly known for “Les Schtroumpfs”, an other series of comic strips, translated as “The Smurfs” in English (very nice by the way!).

Waow, you saw Hugh Jackman in person, lucky you!
There are plenty of other talented Australian people! I really like Guy Pearce, Heath Ledger, Russel Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Emilie de Ravin, Rose Byrne, Sia Furler, Kylie Minogue…
Tina Arena is a very famous singer here in France.
And I’m a huge fan of Toni Collette!!! I know she works as a singer too, I even bought her album from an Australian seller on ebay!
That reminds me that Shelley ‘s “chook” (love that word too!) was the name of the groom in the beginning of “Muriel’s wedding”, one of my favorite comedies!
Have you seen that one?
*Australia rules!* 🙂

Regarding the accent, I’ve been fascinated by it since I was small. My favorite singer was Olivia Newton-John and I loved everything about her singing and speaking voice. I would try to emulate her. Nowadays, I love listening to Simon Baker, Hugh Jackman (whom I got to see in person), Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman speak in interviews. Of course, I like looking at them, too, because they’re all so pretty!