fame and famous people,that I'm writing
because of an opinion piece by
Catherine Deneuve
who is a famous French movie starwho's been acting and emoting for
about 50 years now.
She seems to think that social media
sites have created a public which is not
interested in stars (like herself).
I have plenty of problems with
such a statement which may or
may not have had bad intentions.
I think there are, objectively, negative implications
hiding behind her claim though.
The IMPLICATIONS:
1 it implies that it's our job to
not just consume (expensive)
culture, but to believe ,
pseudo-religiously in actors
who are already lucky enough
to be "stars"
2 it implies that intelligence and
independence of thought in
humans is a bad thing
3 it implies that social media
is also playing a part in the
reality show epidemic that
is a festering boil on society.
I tend to agree that reality shows
(which are barely real anyway)
are a festering
boil. But, reality shows could
be so liberating if they would discuss
politics, our lives; some "real reality."
Together with social media they
could give us a true democratic
real-time voice that can counter-balance
the power of the lazy people who lead us
(astray) and their pals in the old media.
4 fame is something that is deserved.
I don't agree. I look at non-famous people
who save lives for little pay, and say they
deserve fame. I don't know what
Catherine had done to deserve
her fame, but let's check
wikipedia:
A daughter (and sister) of actors
B started in 1960
C famous by 1964
D was known as "the ice queen"
because she had a cool persona despite
being attractive enough to drive guys
crazy. Could have been just a pretty face?
[1965- Repulsion (she's naked) 1967- Belle de Jour (naked)
Check this Belgian interview with her sister
(different surname. Catherine's is a stage name- her mother's maiden)
5 fame should not be fleeting.
I think it should be fleeting. Actors should
work harder.
People should move onward
and upward, to new challenges
and new levels of self-awareness
and social awareness and not get
stuck on famous people and living
vicariously.
6 social media often gets the wrong
interpretation of things. true, but its
potential for self-expression makes it
an imprecise tool.
It is necessary for
people to find their voice and for
trolls to burn themselves out. Everybody
now has to answer for their actions.
it operates as a decent vox pop. When
the UK gov complains about trolling
on twitter, they present it as if somebody
drew a knife on them, a la Ides of March.
What they're doing is trying to stop the
unstoppable march of social media. As
mentioned in this blog, we cannot trust
the mainstream media, or Charlie Hebdo
(see below).
7 fame means that stars can have a personal
life while acting perversely in public. People
judge their own neighbours and family. So, they
will also judge stars too and enjoy a star's public
downfall, if they feel like it. There's no law
that will save famous people from prying
eyes. In summary, she's arguing both sides
of things by expecting unquestioning fame
from people.
chequer-le: le Guardian (des Goddem)
Catherine Deneuve: 'Social media has stopped people dreaming about stars'
In Cannes for opening night film Standing Tall, the French icon has attacked social media for demystifying celebrities - as well as distorting her criticisms of Dunkerque - while jury presidents the Coen brothers express their disdain for TV
‘I don’t think one negative sentence about Dunkerque, out of context, means I have to justify myself’ … Catherine Deneuve Photograph: Samir Hussein/WireImage
@Andrew_Pulver
Wednesday 13 May 2015 16.38 BST
Last modified on Thursday 14 May 2015 18.22 BST
Comments 80
Celebrated French actor Catherine Deneuve denounced social media at a press conference for her new film, Standing Tall (La Tête Haute), which has opened the Cannes film festival.
Asked to clarify remarks in an interview in which the star of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Belle de Jour and Repulsion had lamented “there are no longer any stars”, Deneuve, 71, said: “It’s the social networks that prevent people from dreaming any more about stars. Their private life is displayed constantly on social networks; and some even post private pictures of themselves. I find it a pity. Being a star entails glamour and secrecy; it’s hard to keep any degree of mystery nowadays.”
The actor also had harsh words for the response to a remark she made about the coastal town of Dunkerque, where Standing Tall was filmed. In an interview with Elle, Deneuve was quoted as saying she had noticed the “sadness” of the town, and that “cigarettes and alcohol were the only things that worked”. Deneuve told the Cannes press corps that “social networks have blown it out of proportion”. “I am entitled to my thoughts, she said. “I don’t think one negative sentence about Dunkerque, out of context, means I have to justify myself.”
Deneuve was also asked for her view of the unflattering illustration of her on the cover of the new issue of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in which she is portrayed as a large cuboid being under the announcement: “Suspect package on the Croisette! False alarm! It’s Catherine Deneuve!” Saying she hadn’t yet seen the magazine, Deneuve said: “You can’t expect Charlie Hebdo to have a picture like a fashion magazine. I hope it’s funny at least, even if it’s a bit nasty.”
The row threatened briefly to overshadow the premiere of Standing Tall, the film occupying Cannes’ prestigious opening slot, which tells the story of a troubled teenager, called Malony, from northeastern France and his progress through the child protection system. Deneuve plays a veteran judge who has to supervise Malony’s case, and develops a familiarity and even affection for him. Malony is played by Rod Paradot, who was 18 when the film was shot, who director Emanuelle Bercot discovered while he was doing his apprenticeship as a carpenter.
La Tête Haute review – Catherine Deneuve rules over solid Cannes opener
An often touching drama about a juvenile rallying against the system makes for a respectable start to this year’s festival
Deneuve said she had spent a considerable period sitting in on tribunals and hearings conducted by real-life judges in preparation for the role, and was impressed by their commitment to their charges’ welfare. “I didn’t expect to see such patience,” she said. “They really listened to the children – it was far less brutal than I thought... You can only do the job if you have a real vocation. These children don’t talk much, they are locked in themselves, they know full well they are in the margins. There are a lot of people involved who do their best to help… but one can’t save everyone.
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