2008
Our
Paris calendar for 2008 is available.
Order
it here
ON THE BACKROADS travel documentary series at MIPTV 2008.
3 out of 4 STARS from VIDEO LIBRARIAN - "On The Backroads of Provence beautifully captures the gorgeous palette of southern France, from the fields of purple lavender to the colorful costumes at the annual arts festival in Avignon."
LIBRARY
JOURNAL
"The videos are well done and a feast for the eyes. Interspersed
throughout are comments by the narrator on history, art, and literature
and how they relate to the places shown. Overall, these videos are highly
recommended for general audiences, especially those interested in visiting
these areas and learning more about them."
COMMUNICATIONS
ARTS
"On The Backroads captures a wee bit of paradise. Photography artfully
shot - intriguing enough to whet your appetitie for some world travel
and adding stamps to your passport."
BOOKLIST
"Spectacular views of harbors, mountains, vineyards, rivers, and
valleys in the French region of Provence pervade this beautifully shot
program. Interwoven with bits of history and appealing interviews, the
video features an enticing script that discusses wine, chocolate, truffles
and other delicacies."
Behind the Scenes
The word Napa derives from a native American word meaning 'plenty.' Six tribes inhabited the valley prior to settlers arriving in the 1850s.
If a car represents a culture, the Citröen Deux Chevaux is the symbol of rural France. A workhorse, the cars double as tractors in the fields when necessary.
In L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on Sundays, all the best aspects of a Provencal market come together: French country antiques, a cornucopia of food from local farms, tables full of bric-a-brac. Running through the center of the village, the babbling waters of the river Sorgue provide a backdrop.
The famous black bulls of , driven in from the marshlands of the Camargue region, run through the fortifed city of Aigues-Mortes. The course camarguaise, a complex, bloodless, confrontation between man and bull begins later that afternoon. Gardians, the region's cowboys, herd the bulls from the courtyard of their farmhouse through the village square and into a makeshift bull ring outside the wall where a cheering crowd waits.
In Granada's Arab quarter, the Albaicín, an Andalucian gypsy woman sells castanets in the Placeta de St. Nicolás. She demonstrates, beating an ancient rhythm, accompanied by a wandering guitarist. Handmade of cyprus, the castanets echo across the valley toward the Alhambra, the distant Sierra Nevada's a dramatic backdrop to the moment.
November winds threaten to strip the least leaves from plane trees arching across a road close to St. Remy. A 17th century mill in nearby Maussane-les-Alpilles begins the season of pressing olives arriving from surrounding groves.
The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson displays desert flora and fauna. In addition, the museum is an animal rescue facility. Injured animals, who would otherwise die living on their own, are given a home in the large fenced walk-through habitats. Arizona's desert animals and birds include the Gila monster, prairie dog, horned toad, hummingbird, javelina, jaguar, jackrabbit, roadrunner and rattlesnake.
