Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
In this Micro-Trottoirs episode, people on the street reveal what they wanted to be when they grow up. From fireman to fairy, find out who actually fullfilled their childhood dream.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
In "Les Voyages en train" (Train Rides), the French slam poet Grand Corps Malade creates an extended metaphor comparing love stories to train rides. Just as a successful train ride involves arriving at the station on time and catching the right train, a good love story involves finding the right person at the right moment in one's life. See if you can find some other similarities between the two in this gorgeous video.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France, Spain
Kendji Girac, a star of the French version of The Voice, goes back to his Gypsy roots in "Color Gitano" (Spanish for "Gypsy color"). This fun, rhythmic song will definitely make you want to get up and dance, and it'll even teach you some Spanish too!
Difficulty:
Advanced
Canada, France
Oliver concludes this eleven-part series with a visit to Fort Chambry, where French and British armies fought over new Canadian territories. How did this affect the present? Olivier leaves us to draw our own conclusions and assures us that he is fond of the Québécois as much as they are fond of him. He shares his final impressions of Quebec in a lovely song at the end.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
In this episode, Daniel Benchimol introduces us to Paris's Asian District and its many fountains, gardens, and fruit markets. In an interesting twist of globalization, the neighborhood also features Paris's only pagoda-style McDonald's.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
The Micro-Trottoirs team tackles a big question in this episode: "Do you believe in life after death?" People share their beliefs on the matter. One person remarked, "As the famous French humorist Pierre Desproges would say, 'if God existed, we'd have to file a lawsuit against him!'"
Difficulty:
Advanced
Canada, France
Quebec's current relationship with France is complex. French politicians tend to tread carefully regarding Quebec's sovereignty. For many years France adopted a policy of "neither indifference nor interference," a more neutral stance somewhere between a hands-off policy (which could be seen as complete abandonment) and an overly intrusive relationship. Sarkozy moved away from that policy, but his successor Hollande revived it.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
In "Je suis Charlie" (I Am Charlie), Fabien Marsaud a.k.a. Grand Corps Malade commemorates the victims of the devastating attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. As the slam poet notes, "I prefer to pick up a pen because tonight I am Charlie."
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
Belgium
Singer-songwriter Stromae walks us through his personal creative process and the many choices he has to make to create his beautiful songs, such as the one you will hear in the background called "Papaoutai" (Dad, Where Are You?). Knowing what goes into the complex process of making music only deepens our appreciation of his work.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Cortés sets out to conquer Mexico with his four hundred men, sixteen horses, and seven cannons. He is joined later by native forces, the Totonac warriors.
Difficulty:
Advanced
Canada, France
Quebec may never answer the vexing question: Should Quebec remain part of Canada or not? While opinions are divided, Quebecois don't necessarily show the same passion as the French when debating hot issues.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Tension is building between the Aztecs and the Spaniards, not to mention within Cortés's own ranks. Despite this, the conquistador rallies his troops to conquer Mexico.
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
France
In "Inch'Allah" (Arabic for "if God wills" or "God willing"), French slam poet Grand Corps Malade and Algerian singer Reda Taliani team up to promote a message of love and acceptance of people of all cultures and colors. In the video, two people are lucky enough to have the song performed at their wedding!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
Cortés exchanges gifts with the Aztec Emperor, Montezuma. An excellent diplomatic move on both sides!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
France
The Micro-Trottoir team asks people on the street what it means to age well. For most of them, aging well is staying healthy and being young at heart, not to mention having no wrinkles!
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