Louis de Funès' comedies - Quiz - answers

Did you score 10 points on the last quiz? :)

I am reminding the answers along with short videos covering the facts I asked about in the exercise:

1. In 'Les adventures de Rabbi Jacob' Victor Pivert (Louis de Funès) falls into a container full of green:

a) glue (colle) b) juice (jus) c) chewing gum (chewing-gum)

2. In one of Louis de Funès' comedies, an alien keeps coming back to Earth in order to get his favourite soup. Which soup is it?:

a) cabbage soup (soupe aux choux) b) tomato soup (soupe de tomates) c) cauliflower soup (soupe de chou-fleur)

3. What is the name of a crazy nun, driving her car like a maniac (France Rumilly)?

a) Antoinette b) Clotilde c) Marie

4. How many films does the series about the group of gendarmes serving in Saint Tropez consist of?

a) 6 b) 5 c)7

The series consists of 6 films:

Le Gendarme de St. Tropez, 1964

Le Gendarme à New York, 1965

Le Gendarme se marie, 1968

Le Gendarme en balade, 1970

Le Gendarme et les extra-terrestres, 1979

Le Gendarme et les gendarmettes, 1982 

5. In one of his comedies Louis de Funès is stuck (coincé) :

a) in a wine cellar (cave à vin) b) on a tree c) on a desert island

6. What is the name of the police chief at the police station of Saint Tropez?:

a) Jérôme Gerber b) Ludovic Cruchot c) Lucien Fougasse

7. In "Le Gendarme et les Extra-terrestres" the gendarmes recognize the aliens posing as policemen thanks to the fact that they drink:

a) petrol (essence) b) dishwashing liquid (liquide vaisselle) c) oil (huile)

8. In 'La grande vadrouille' Louis de Funès sings a famous English song in a bath house. Which song is it?

a) 'Tea for two' b) 'Somewhere over the rainbow' c)'Happy birthday'

9. In 'La zizanie' (‘Panowie dbajcie o żony’) Guillaume Daubray-Lacaze damages:

a) a dresser (buffet) b) a billiard table c) a swimming pool

10. In ‘L'aile ou la cuisse’ (‘The wing or the thigh’) Charles Duchemin (Louis de Funès) is a famous :

a) restaurant owner b) chef c) editor of a restaurant guide

10/10? ;)

Source of the videos: youtube

Louis de Funès' comedies - Quiz

Hello! The time has come for a quiz on the comedies of the great French actor - Louis de Funès!

Some of the questions are quite easy, whereas some are tricky! Do you know Louis' comedies well? - Check your knowledge!

1. In 'Les adventures de Rabbi Jacob'  Victor Pivert (Louis de Funès) falls into a container full of green:

  a) glue (colle)   b) juice (jus)  c) chewing gum (chewing-gum)

2. In one of Louis de Funès' comedies, an alien keeps coming back to Earth in order to get his favourite soup. Which soup is it?:

a) cabbage soup (soupe aux choux) b) tomato soup (soupe de tomates)  c) cauliflower soup (soupe de chou-fleur)

3. What is the name of a crazy nun, driving her car like a maniac (France Rumilly)?

a) Antoinette b) Clotilde c) Marie

4. How many films does the series about the group of gendarmes serving in Saint Tropez consist of?

a) 6  b) 5  c)7

5. In one of his comedies Louis de Funès is stuck (coincé) :

a) in a wine cellar (cave à vin)  b) on a tree  c) on a desert island

6. What is the name of the police chief at the police station of Saint Tropez?:

a) Jérôme Gerber  b)  Ludovic Cruchot c) Lucien Fougasse

7. In "Le Gendarme et les Extra-terrestres" the gendarmes recognize the aliens posing as policemen thanks to the fact that they drink:

a)  petrol (essence) b) dishwashing liquid (liquide vaisselle) c) oil (huile)

8. In 'La grande vadrouille' Louis de Funès sings a famous English song in a bath house. Which song is it?

a) 'Tea for two'  b) 'Somewhere over the rainbow'  c)'Happy birthday'

9. In 'La zizanie' (‘Panowie dbajcie o żony’) Guillaume Daubray-Lacaze damages:

a) a dresser (buffet)  b) a billiard table  c) a swimming pool

10. In ‘L'aile ou la cuisse’ (‘The wing or the thigh’) Charles duchemin (Louis de Funès) is a famous :

a) restaurant owner   b) chef     c) editor of a restaurant guide

You can check your answers below in the comments part as well as in my next post!

 Source of the photos : the Internet

Louis de Funès - le Roi des comédies

Louis de Funès is certainly one of the most loved foreign actors in Poland. Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza was born on 31 July 1914 in Courbevoie (Hauts-de-Seine) to parents from Seville (Spain). He died on 27 January 1983 in Nantes (I lived in this town, not being aware of this fact!) De Funès is famous for a wide range of facial expressions (=szeroki wachlarz mimiki twarzy), vigorous manner (=energiczny sposób bycia) and snappy impatience (=wielką niecierpliwośc). The actor was known among his friends as 'Fufu'. As a young man, he adored drawing and playing the piano. He earned his living (=zarabiał na życie) playing jazz at Pigalle. Each time he made a grimace his audience burst out laughing (=wybuchała śmiechem). 

Louis De Funès playing the piano

De Funès studied acting at the Simon acting school, where he made a very important contact with Daniel Gélin. In 1945 the French actor helped de Funès (aged 31) to make his film debut in 'La Tentation de Barbizon' ("The temptation of Barbizon"). The actor was married twice - his first marriage with Germaine Carroyer ended in divorce in 1942 (the couple had one son named Daniel). In 1943 De Funès got happily married to Jeanne Bathelémy de Maupassant with whom he had two sons - Patrick (1944) and Olivier (1947). The older of his sons became a doctor, wheras the younger, an Air Force pilot, pursued an acting carrer and played along his father in such films as 'Les Grandes Vacances', 'Le Grand Restaurant' and 'Hibernatus'.

De Funès with his wife, Jeanne de Funès

In 1968 poll Louis de Funès was voted France's favourite actor. The actor starred in countless comedies, just to name a few:

'Le gendarme de Saint Tropez' (1964) Eg. 'The policeman from Saint-Tropez' Pl. "Żandarm z Saint Tropez"

'Fantômas' (1964) - 'Fantômas' - "Fantomas"

'Le gendarme à New York" (1965) - 'Gendarme in New York' - "Żandarm w Nowym Yorku"

'La Grande Vadrouille" (1966) - 'Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!' - "Wielka Włóczęga"

'Les grandes vacances" (1967) - Les Grandes Vacances - "Wielkie wakacje"

"Hibernatus" (1969) - Hibernatus - "Hibernatus"

"Les adventures de Rabbi Jacob" (1973) - 'The Mad adventures of Rabbi Jacob' - "Przygody Rabina Jakuba"

"L'aile ou la cuisse" (1976) - 'The wing or the thigh' -  "Skrzydełko czy nóżka"

"Le gendarme et les extra-terrestres" (1979) - 'The gendarme and the Extra-Terrestrials' - "Żandarm i kosmici" 

"La soupe aux choux" (1981), 'Cabbage soup', "Kapuśniak".

I propose watching a few extracts in French and in English:

An English lesson given by Louis de Funès ;) :

Have you learned how to pronounce 'the' ? ;)


French trailer of 'The gendarme and the Extra-Terrestials':

'The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob' with English subtitles:

Which Louis de Funès' film is your favourite? In my next post you'll find a short quiz on this great actor's films !

C u soon!

Source of the photos: the Internet

'Intouchables' - la musique

J'ai trouvé cette belle musique sur internet par hasard...Elle vient du film 'Intouchables'...Vous pouvez lire une critique de ce film ICI (merci! ;). Je trouve ces morceaux très agréables à écouter ....

Source of the music : youtube

"I love Gdańsk, but I miss my desert"

Waris Dirie was just five years old when she underwent (=przeszła) genital mutilation (=obrzezanie) practised in the name of (=w imię) tradition in her tribe (=plemię)...She was 13 when she fled (=uciekła) her family, who wanted to marry her off (=wydać za mąż) to an elderly man. The girl arrived in London, where she worked as a maid in the Somalian Embassy (=ambasada) and after its closure (=zamknięcie) as a McDonald's employee. At the age of 20 Waris was noticed by a photographer Terence Donovan. Her career bloomed (=rozkwitła) with her appearance in the Pirelli Calendar and adverisements for Chanel, L'Oreal, Levi's and Revlon. In 1987 she also played a minor role in James Bond movie 'The Living Daylights'. The model took part in fashion shows in London, Milan, Paris and New York and her photos appeared in such fashion magazines as 'Elle', 'Glamour' and 'Vogue'. Taking advantage of (=wykorzystując) her popularity the model started to raise (=poruszać) the topic of FGM (female genital mutilation) and soon became a United Nations ambassador for the abolition (=zniesienie) of this cruel (=okrutny) practice (=proceder). In 1998 Waris published her first autobiography - Desert Flower. The book soon became a bestseller and in 2009 was adapted for the screen (=zekranizowana). The movie was a great success as well, receiving such awards (=nagrody) as Bavarian Film Awards and the Audience Award in the San Sebastian International Film Festival.

The cover of Waris' autobiography

Waris Dirie with Liya Kebede, the Ethiopian supermodel,
who played Waris in the film 'Desert Flower'

To my surprise, I have learnt today that Waris is currently living in Gdańsk. The human activist has bought a house at the seaside (=wybrzeże). Waris decided to move to Poland because of her best friend, Joanna, for whom Gdańsk is a home town. The women met in Vienna and soon made friends. When Joanna showed the model her home surroundings, Waris directly fell in love with (=zakochała się w) the Baltic Sea and decided to give in (=poddać się) to this spontaneous feeling. Each day she runs on Polish beaches, which she adores. She has filled her house with lots of African souvenirs and now is also living with part of her family. 

Click below to watch a trailer of the film 'Desert Flower':

Source of the photos : the Internet

Sleepless in Seattle - answers

Here are your answers!

1. Why did the little boy call the radio?

…………to say that his dad needed a new wife………

2. What name was the anonymous man (Tom Hanks) called by the broadcaster?

………'sleepless in Seattle'………

3. According to one of the man at the table “it is easier to be killed by terrorists than” …

……than to get married over the age of 40…………

4. What news does Annie announce at the dinner table ?

……………that she and Walter have got engaged…………

5. What argument against the city of Seattle does one of the men give?

………he says that it rains 9 months of the year in Seattle………

6. According to Annie’s friend 'her destiny can be her …'

…………doom (pl. fatum)……………

7. What two towns does Sam ask his son to point to on the map?

…………Seattle and Baltimore………

8. Sam is afraid that the woman he is going to meet may turn out a …

………crazy sick lunatic (pl. wariatka)…………

9. According to Sam’s friend, what part of a male body is very important to women?

…………………a bottom……………………

9/9 ? ;)

Have a very happy Saint Valentine's Day!

Source of the photo : the Internet

Sleepless in Seattle

On the occasion of Saint Valentine's Day I have prepared a listening exercise for you based on the film ' Sleepless in Seattle'. The 1993 film starred Meg Ryan (as Annie Reed) and Tom Hanks (I absolutely adore this actor!) in the role of a single father, Sam  Baldwin. The film was nominated for Golden Globes Awards in the category - Best Film Musical or Comedy along with  Best Actor and Best Actress for the main actors. An interesting thing here is that one of the songs of the film - 'A wink and a smile' by Harry Connick, Jr. (you can read more about the singer HERE and listen to the song HERE) was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Original Song. 
I invite you to do the listening exercise!

1. Why did the little boy call the radio?

……………………………………………………………….

2. What name was the anonymous man (Tom Hanks) called by the broadcaster?

…………………………………………………………

3. According to one of the man at the table “it is easier to be killed by terrorists than” …

……………………………………………..…………

4. What news does Annie announce at the dinner table ?

…………………………………………………………………

5. What argument against the city of Seattle does one of the men give?

…………………………………………………………………………

6. According to Annie’s friend 'her destiny can be her …'

………………………………………………………………………

7. What two towns does Sam ask his son to point to on the map?

………………………………………………………………………

8. Sam is afraid that the woman he is going to meet may turn out a …

…………………………………………………………………….

9. According to Sam’s friend, what part of a male body is very important to women?

………………………………………………………………………..

The answers will be given in my next post.

Madame Streep

If you asked me who my favourite actrees is, I would surely answer - Meryl Streep. I discovered this phenomenal actress thanks to her 1984 film, 'Falling in love', where she starred opposite Robert de Niro. The romantic drama tells the story of a woman and a man who meet accidentaly on the train. The people, both unhappily married, keep thinking about each other and struggle with the feelings they have for one another and pricks of conscience. 

See the trailer:

The next picture I saw was a 1986 film 'Heartburn', where Streep co-starred with Jack Nicolson. The drama focuses on the story of a couple of journalists, who buy a house, have children and seemingly lead a happy life. The woman discovers, though, that her husband is having an affair. The film illustrates the character's inner battle with feelings of hatred, humiliation, fear of being a single mother and her fight for independence. 

The trailer:

The list of excellent, memorable films Meryl Streep has starred in is endless, just to name a few : 'Kramer vs. Kramer', 'The French Lieutenant's Woman', 'Sophie's choice', 'Out of Africa', 'A cry in the dark', 'The hours', 'Doubt', 'Julia & Julia'. The actress holds the record for the biggest number of Academy Award nominations (17 times!) as well as Golden Globes nominations (26 times!)

The last well-known film Streep has acted in is 'The Iron Lady', a British biopic about Margaret Thatcher. Streep, whose 'Iron Lady' was absolutely brilliant, has received the Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. In my next post you will find a listening exercise based on the film's trailer.

Glossary

phenomenal - fenomenalny

star/act - występować (w filmie)

discover - odkryć

fall in love - zakochać się

accidentaly - przypadkowo

struggle - walczyć 

pricks of conscience - wyrzuty sumienia

heartburn - zgaga

focus on sth - koncentrować się na czymś

seemingly - pozornie

lead - prowadzić

affair - romans

though - jednakże

inner battle - wewnętrzna walka

hatred - nienawiść

humiliation - upokorzenie

memorable - niezapomniany, pamiętny

brilliant, excellent - wspaniały

endless - niekończący się

biopic /ˈbaɪəʊpɪk/- biografia filmowa

Source of the photo : the Internet

'Groundhog Day' - listening exercise - answers

1. What Animals does Phil compare the woodchuck to?

………a rat………

2. How big are the chances for his departure in the beginning?

………100%..………

3. What confession does Phil make to Rita?

…He makes the confession that he lives the same day over and over again….

4. What does the landlady reply do Phil’s comment about ‘déjà vu’?

…she will check if they have 'it' in the kitchen…

5. How does Phil feel at first when he realizes he lives the same day over and over again? (give one adjective)

..…anxious…..

6. What does Phil realize as for the fact that the day repeats?

……He realizes he could do whatever he would like to do……

7. Phil lives like there is no ’…tomorrow...’

8. According to Phil, who is he?

…………a god……………

9. What did Rita study?

……She studied 19th century French poetry……

10. According to Rita, what is the only thing one should raise a toast to?

……world peace……

11. What does Phil reply to Rita’s question : ‘What did you do today?’ ?

……'all same'……

11/11? ;)

'Groundhog Day' - listening exercise

‘Groundhog Day’ is a 1993 comedy film directed by Harold Ramis. The movie stars Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Murray plays Phil Connors, an egocentric  TV weatherman who receives a hated assignment - covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney. The main character suddenly realizes that the same day, Groundhog Day, repeats itself over and over again. Phil goes through various stages - first, indulging himself with tons of sweets, offences committed with impunity and carefree relations, then  numerous suicide attempts, and finally reflection on his life and priorities.

In 2006, the movie was added to the United States National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Ok..the time has come for the listening exercise! First, read the questions, then watch the trailer and try to asnwer them! Good luck!

1. What animal does Phil compare the woodchuck to?

……………………………………………………………

2. How big are the chances for his departure at the beginning?

…………………………..……………………………….

3. What confession does Phil make to Rita?

…………………………………………………………….

4. What does the landlady reply do Phil’s comment about ‘déjà vu’?

…………………………………………………………..

5. How does Phil feel at first when he realizes he lives the same day over and over again? (give one adjective)

……………………………………………………………

6. What does Phil realize as for the fact that the day repeats?

…………………………………………………………..

7. Phil lives like there is no ’………………………………….’

8. According to Phil, who is he?

…………………………………………………………………

9. What did Rita study?

………………………………………………………………………..

10. According to Rita, what is the only thing one should raise a toast to?

…………………………………………………………………..

11. What does Phil reply to Rita’s question : ‘What did you do today?’ ?

………………………………………………………………

You'll find the answers in my next post (straightaway)

Here's also the French trailer for those of you who speak or are learning French :

"In Darkness" has been nominated for an Oscar!

I have just heard wonderful news... The latest Agnieszka Holland's film -"In Darkness" has been nominated to the Academy Award in the category 'Foreign Language Film'! The movie tells the story of a Pole, Leopold Socha, who during the Second World War undergoes a dramatic transformation, changing from a pilferer into   a courageous man who saves a group of Jews  from certain death. The Polish-German-Canadian cooproduction  has received very good reviews in the national end international press. The movie stars Robert Więckiewicz in the leading role, Agnieszka Grochowska, Kinga Preis, Maria Schrader and Benno Fürman. We will keep our fingers crossed for Ms. Holland and her outstanding work!

I invite you to see the trailer of the film :

Oscar vocabulary

an Oscar - ;)

a statuette - statuetka

award - nagroda

a nominee - nominowany

category - kategoria

ceremony - ceremonia

gala - a gala  /ˈɡɑːlə/ event 

Best Picture = the best film

motion picture = a film

Foreign Language Film - film zagraniczny (nieanglojęzyczny)

the red carpet - czerwony dywan

Glossary

undergo - przechodzić

transformation = a change

save - ocalić

certain - pewna

death - śmierć

Jews - Żydzi

pilferer - złodziejaszek

courageous = brave

receive - otrzymywać

review - recenzja

press - prasa

a film stars sb - w filmie występuje

leading role - rola główna

outstanding - wspaniały

work - dzieło