Monaco Celebrates Its First Pride!

For the first time in Monaco, Pride was celebrated on Thursday, June 2, thanks to Barclays Private Bank teaming up with Stars’n’Bars and Fight Aids Monaco.

The unprecedented cocktail party at Star Deck drew an amazing crowd of about 80 people who came together in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Marking this historic occasion were special guests Princess Stephanie, President of Fight Aids Monaco, and her youngest daughter Camille Gottlieb. Princess Stephanie’s presence alone makes all the difference for the Pride movement to go forward.

Since 2004, Fight Aids Monaco has been supporting those living with HIV, acknowledging each person’s sexual orientation and gender identity. The non-profit condemns any kind of inequality, discrimination, or violence against any person, including those identifying as LGBTQIA+, and believes that defending this principle “should be everybody’s concern.”

This ideology is shared with Barclays Private Bank, which has long shown its commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. “Barclays understands that sexual orientation and gender identity are but a part of people’s identity and wants them to feel accepted in every way,” the bank said in a statement. “Through initiatives, activities, and networking for its employees, Barclays stands out and has already received nominations from organizations such as Stonewall and the Human Rights Campaign.

And at Stars’n’Bars, which has hosted small LGBTQ gatherings before stated, “Do what you love, love what you do. Make a difference.”

“Let’s be proud to coexist in diversity and state loudly that the freedom to be and love applies to all,” expressed the co-organizers of the Pride event.

In 2020, Monaco ranked 45th out of 49 European countries on LGBT+ equality by ILGA-Europe.

ILGA-Europe explained the score: “Although Monaco has legislation guaranteeing a civil society space for LGBTI people, there are no constitutional limitations on marriage, the law on hate speech covers sexual orientation and that from next month (June 27, 2020) same-sex couples will be able to benefit from cohabitation rights, it is necessary and desirable to take more legal measures to guarantee equality and non-discrimination of LGBTI people.”

It added that in Monaco homosexual couples do not have the right to adopt or have access to IVF and that discrimination based on sexual orientation is not protected by the Constitution. But hopefully, now this can start to change.

Since June 27, 2020, Monaco has allowed same-sex couples to sign a cohabitation agreement (contrat de vie commune), but the law considers same-sex couples living together on par with siblings for inheritance taxes and they are not eligible for the same legal protection (healthcare, retirement) available to married couples of the opposite sex.

Having the first Pride celebration in Monaco is a massive step forward, lets continue to work hard to continue to move all the equality efforts forward.

A Masterpiece Awaits in the French Riviera

It’s not usual for me to write about the luxury real estate market for the LGBTQ community on this blog, but this being part of my work and life here in the region, I thought readers would like a taste of what is available in terms of high-end property investments in the region.

Of late, an extraordinary property on the market in the French Riviera has come to my attention, a very special place that I can’t seem to stop thinking about on behalf of my clients.

Having worked in the luxury real estate and villa rental industry for over the past 11 years, one gets to know the details of local properties very well, and to be honest, one can even become a little blasé after a while, no matter how obsessed you are with the market.

That is until a property comes to the forefront once again and makes you realize why you not only love the Cote d’Azur so much but it refreshes you on the many reasons you are here in the first place.

Right now, the inspiration and drive have come flooding back after my private tour of a most remarkable property in the heights of Col de Villefranche. So much so that I was even dreaming about the place later that night and couldn’t help but think about it as I woke up and throughout the next day, to the point I just had to write about it for others to also enjoy.
 

Originally constructed in the middle of the 19th century, over the past few years this property was extensively and whole-heartedly revamped and renamed Villa Gabrielle.

 

Unlike some other properties where an estate can be completely stripped away removing its soul so that an owner’s ego can exude a reflection of their dream. Villa Gabrielle was lovingly restored keeping all the key characteristics one expects of such a historical property, yet enhanced intelligently and thoroughly with care while integrating all of today’s modernizations expected.

 

The time, efforts, and details taken to give this majestic estate a new lease on life are absolutely clear and not just for the short term but for many years to come.

 

As we all know, first impressions are everything, and with Villa Gabrielle that instantaneous “Wow” factor is definitely there, yet behind the visual surface are integral touches one may not immediately expect but are in place as you explore and discover the property, ready for your new lifestyle on this breathtaking estate.

Whatever you have always imagined in a property, it is available at Villa Gabrielle.

Here, serenely perched on what feels like the top of the world in Col de Villefranche, this substantial south-facing estate on a flat plot of 4200 sqm offers you 360° panoramic views towards Nice and the Bay of Angels, Fort du Mont Alban, down towards the Mediterranean Sea over the Bay of Villefranche and the peninsula of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.

 

And while this property dominates the hillside, it still benefits from total privacy and a place where one can watch the sunrise and set each day.

 

Outbuildings included, there is a total developed space of almost 1000 sqm with the main house of 540 sqm composed of an entrance with double living room and separate expansive dining room, a modern kitchen opening onto a terrace, a fully equipped professional kitchen, a master bedroom of 110 sqm with two bathrooms and dressing rooms. Four other bedrooms with bathrooms and dressing rooms, and an office.

 

An independent guest house measuring 150 sqm including a 3 bedroom apartment with bathroom, lounge, open kitchen, and dining area. Plus a full one-bedroom apartment for staff, a PC security room, and a large individual laundry room.

 

The splendid garden is meticulously planted with both Mediterranean and tropical essences embellished by an outdoor swimming pool of 17x8m with an infused children’s pool along with 2 separate Koi fish ponds, plenty of lush green grass with a shaded summer lounge, and an outdoor dining area with barbecue and bar overlooking the sea making it ideal for entertaining family and friends.

 

Get fit and relax in the separate 136 sqm spa house set up with a fitness room, massage room, dry sauna, steam room, and indoor pool.

For all you car enthusiasts, there is an underground garage of 155 sqm which can accommodate 10 cars along with plenty more parking.

 

Overall, this safe and secure property currently has 9 bedrooms with the possibility of adding a further two for a total of 11 bedrooms.

During the tour, my first reflections were that this estate has the best of both worlds. It’s a superb villa with a genuine sense of history that has been reborn and reflects everything one imagines about France and Europe in general. Best of all, it has that Cote d’Azur flair, yet gently combined with familiar aspects and designs that would make someone from any other country around the world feel right at home.

Villa Gabrielle, being a turnkey property, means you have now found your ideal place in the sun bringing consistent ease and inspiration to your life.

Price: 17,000,000 EUR

Connect with Experience The French Riviera for more details. 

Update: As of September 2022, this beautiful property has been sold. 

Cinéma de la Plage Cannes 2022

It’s all about to begin, the 75th Cannes Film Festival!

In addition to all the screenings, events, and conferences of the official selection taking place at the Palais du Festival, as with tradition, each evening at 9:30 pm, at the beach along the Croisette across from the Majestic Hotel is an open-air cinema experience.

This year, the films and dates are as follows:

Tues 17 May: The Truman Show directed by Peter Weir.

Wed 18 May: This is Spinal Tap directed by Rob Reiner. Rob will be present at the screening.

Thurs 19 May: Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) by Christophe Gans.

Fri 20 May: Est-Ouest by Régis Wargnier. A French film nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars 22 years ago.

Sat 21 May: The 50th-anniversary screening of The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola.

Sun 22 May: Un singe en hiver (A monkey in winter) - French film directed by Henri Verneuil.

Mon 23 May: La cour des Miracles (Save our school) - French film directed by Hakim Zouhani and Carine May. The directors and actors will all be present at the screening.

Tues 24 May: A screening of the Australian classic movie Strictly Ballroom by Baz Luhrmann. Baz's upcoming film 'Elvis' is taking part out of competition at Cannes this year; his past films include Moulin Rouge & Romeo + Juliet. Baz will be present at the Strictly Ballroom screening on Tuesday.

Wed 25 May: Christophe...définitement (Christophe..definitely) directed by Ange Leccia & Dominique Gonzales-Foerster.

Thu 26 May: The 40th-anniversary screening of E.T the Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Stephen Spielberg.

Fri 27 May: Fanfan la tulipe, a French film from the 1950's directed by Christian-Jaque.

Sat 28 May: The Last Picture Show directed by Peter Bogdanovich.

Be sure to arrive early for the best seats!

Queer Palm Cannes 2022

It's back! The Queer Palm Film Festival is in full force for 2022!

Heading the jury for the Queer Palm 2022 awards is the French director,

Catherine Corsini. The winner last year for her film, ‘The Fracture (La Fracture)’. Catherine is the sixth woman to preside over the jury in the twelve years of the Queer Palm Film Festival existence following in the footsteps of Elisabeth Quin, Julie Gayet, Desiree Akhavan, Sylvie Pialat, and Virginie Ledoyen.

Catherine Corsini will be joined by four jurors: the actor Djanis Bouzyani, the journalist Marilou Duponchel, the Swiss director Stéphane Riethauser and the Australian producer Paul Struthers.

Created in 2010 by the film critic, Franck Finance-Madureira, the “Queer Palm" each year rewards one long film and one short film from the competition dealing with LGBT, queer or feminist themes, among all the Cannes selections.

As always, this is a prime opportunity to promote LGBTQ film content in the city of Cannes at a time when the eyes of the world are on the famous film festival.

Below is a list of the 17 features and 12 short movies that will compete this year for the Queer Palm from May 17 to May 28, 2022, in both English and French.

LONG METRAGES / FEATURES
OFFICIAL SELECTION / COMPETITION

THE ALBUMS by Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
LES AMANDIERS de Valeria Bruni Tedeschi

Close by Lukas Dhont
CLOSE de Lukas Dhont

ZHENA CHAILOVSKOGO de Kirill Serebrennikov
ZHENA CHAILOVSKOGO de Kirill Serebrennikov

Pacification by Albert Serra
PACIFICTION de Albert Serra

OFFICIAL SELECTION/SOME LOOK
SELECTION OFFICIELLE / UN CERTAIN REGARD

Burning Days by Emin Alper
BURNING DAYS de Emin Alper

Saim Sadiq of Joyland
JOYLAND de Saim Sadiq

CAFTAN BLUE by Maryam Touzani
LE BLEU DU CAFTAN de Maryam Touzani

Lola Quivoron ROUNDING
RODEO de Lola Quivoron

OFFICIAL SELECTION / SPECIAL SESSION
SELECTION OFFICIELLE / SEANCE SPECIALE

FEMINIST REPOST by Marie Perrenès and Simon Depardon
RIPOSTE FEMINISTE de Marie Perrenès et Simon Depardon

OFFICIAL SELECTION / MIDNIGHT SESSION
SELECTION OFFICIELLE / SEANCE DE MINUIT

MOONAGE DAYDREAM by Brett Morgen
MOONAGE DAYDREAM de Brett Morgen

OFFICIAL SELECTION / PREMIERE CANNES
SELECTION OFFICIELLE / CANNES PREMIERE

DODO of Panos H. Koutras
DODO de Panos H. Koutras

IRMA VEP by Olivier Assayas
IRMA VEP de Olivier Assayas

CHRONICLE OF A LION
CHRONIQUE D’UNE LIAISON

PASSENGER by Emmanuel Mouret
PASSAGERE de Emmanuel Mouret

A FIFTEEN OF FILMERS
QUINZAINE DES REALISATEURS

CRAZY FIRE by Joao Pedro Rodrigues
FEU FOLLET de Joao Pedro Rodrigues

A VARON by Fabian Hernandez
UN VARON de Fabian Hernandez

Léa Mysius' 5 DEVILS
LES 5 DIABLES de Léa Mysius

Lionel Baier's DERIVE OF THE CONTINENTS (SOUTH)
LA DÉRIVE DES CONTINENTS (AU SUD) de Lionel Baier

COURTS METRAGES / SHORT MOVIES
Official selection
COURTS METRAGES / SHORT MOVIES
Sélection officielle

THE FIRE AT LAKE de Pierre Menahem
LE FEU AU LAC de Pierre Menahem

GAKJIL by Sujin Moon
GAKJIL de Sujin Moon

La Cinef (formerly Cine Foundation)
La Cinef (ex-Cinéfondation)

FENG ZHENG (The Silent Whistle) de LI Yingtong
FENG ZHENG (The Silent Whistle) de LI Yingtong

THE PASS de Pepi Ginsberg
THE PASS de Pepi Ginsberg

Ruby Challenger MUMLIFE
MUMLIFE de Ruby Challenger

Fifteen of the Makers
Quinzaine des Réalisateurs

ARIBADA of Simon(e) Jaikiriuma Paetau and Natalia Escobar
ARIBADA de Simon(e) Jaikiriuma Paetau et Natalia Escobar

YOUNG GIRLS BURY THEIR LIFE de Maïté Sonnet
DES JEUNES FILLES ENTERRENT LEUR VIE de Maïté Sonnet

Week of criticism
Semaine de la Critique

LAS CRIATURAS THAT MELT BAJO EL SOL (Creatures that melt in the sun)
by Diego Céspedes
LAS CRIATURAS QUE SE DERRITEN BAJO EL SOL
(Les Créatures qui fondent au soleil) de Diego Céspedes

WILL YOU LOOK AT ME (Dang Wo Wang Xiang Ni De Shi Hou / Look at Me)
de Shuli Huang
WILL YOU LOOK AT ME (Dang Wo Wang Xiang Ni De Shi Hou / Regarde-Moi)
de Shuli Huang

WE XERXES' THRONE (On the Throne of Xerxes) by Evi Kalogiropoulou
ON XERXES’ THRONE (Sur le trône de Xerxès) de Evi Kalogiropoulou

SWAN IN THE CENTER of Iris Chassaigne
SWAN DANS LE CENTRE de Iris Chassaigne

Yann Gonzalez's ID cards
HIDEOUS de Yann Gonzalez

For more information, contact Queer Palm.