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Dano Nissen

On the Scene: FIAF’s Bastille Day Celebration

by Dano Nissen July 13, 2022

written by Dano Nissen

On July 14, 1789 French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille in the name of liberty, equality and fraternity. Nearly a century and a half later, New Yorkers stormed Madison Ave in the name of crepes, wine and cheese.

FIAF (French Institute Alliance Francais) hosted its annual Bastille Day celebration on Sunday, July 10 on Madison Ave from 59th to 63rd. Vendors lined the streets selling everything French, including a crepes stand with a truly massive line. Almost every booth — whether it be for fashion, travel, or food — boasted a long queue of patrons withstanding the sweltering July day. The festivities were all set to the backdrop of musical and dance performances at the main stage throughout the day.

The Knockturnal attended a private wine and cheese tasting event, featuring wines from Maison Antech, Château Maris, and Château Haut-Blanville, non-alcoholic wines from Le Petit Béret, gazpacho from Karine & Jeff and cheese selections from cheese2u.com. Attendees brought a punch card to each tasting station to get a glass or plate representing the flavors of the south of France.

Another private event was the champagne and musette party in the FIAF sky room, which has an impressive view of the city’s skyline. Chloé Perrier & the French Heart Jazz played old Paris tunes while attendees sipped champagne.

FIAF Bastille Day music guests included Paul Beaubrun, Cal Hunt, DJ Orson and an excerpt from the musical Norte Dame de Paris — all hosted by emcee Chandler Dean.

Bastille Day is Thursday, July 14.

July 13, 2022 0 comments

On the Scene: ‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’ NY Premiere

by Dano Nissen July 1, 2022

written by Dano Nissen

“Mr. Malcolm’s List” is a period romance with the sense and sensibility of a modern rom-com.

Nobleman Mr. Malcolm drafts an impossibly high standard checklist for his suitress. After a failed date, one of his spurned potential lovers and list flunkees devises a plan to get back at Mr. Malcolm, leading to unexpected romance.

“She’s the regency Bridget Jones,” star Theo James said of the film’s female romantic lead to Knockturnal at the red carpet screening on Wednesday. “It’s a period drama, but it’s also quite contemporary — not only in its representation, but in its themes and humor.” Director Emma Holly Jones described her film as a “period rom-com,” drawing influence from the literature of Jane Austen to the humor of modern comedies to the cinematography of Stanley Kubrick.

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In terms of representation, the film updates the traditionally white regency romance drama with people of color filling the 19th century corsets and top hats of the landed gentry. Like the film’s popular contemporary “Bridgerton,” the story makes no allusions to its revisionism, which star Freida Pinto appreciates. “It’s a statement: we are not trying to justify our presence in this movie,” she said. “We are just ‘being’ because we believe we deserve to be telling stories that represent people of all races, all colors. If there’s a statement in this movie: it’s that we are just ‘being.’”

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Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, who plays the titular character, also appreciates how the characters “are just being” in their own skin. “Being on set with as many [people of color] actors as there were didn’t feel weird to me because that’s the world I live in,” he said. “Hopefully people just feel included. And it’s not too strange that this is the way it is now because it should have been this way a long time ago.”

The screening was followed by a VIP reception at Le Chalet at L’Avenue at Saks. The decor brought partygoers back to 1818, with a live water color illustrator painting guests, an outdoor croquet setup and a very vintage cocktail menu inspired by the era.