the white balloon

Here is my latest little film. Its called 'The White Balloon'. The first time I ever heard the word Paris was when I watched the remarkable film called 'The Red Balloon' (French: Le Ballon rouge) (1956) It's a wonderful fantasy short film, directed by French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse (who won an oscar) I think it was then that I fell in love with Paris at the tender age of five. The film has stayed with me all these years and so has Paris. I'm tempted to take another look, but wont of course. Why ruin the perfect love affair...Enjoy my little film 'The White Balloon'
To view my film, It might be better to go to http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bH85TFYNcKI&feature=channel_page and hit the high quality button just under the film on the right.The quality is so much better.....Then again, I also want to to stay on and in my blog.

warm hands cold feet

My only regret in making this little film is that I didn't have my good video camera with me, and that I didn't have wool socks, on both feet. I shot it all on my tiny camera which only allows me to shoot 3 minutes (its not really a video camera, it just thinks it is )...I'm hoping it will snow again, in fact I think Paris will get lots of snow this winter...Remember you heard it here first. Sit back and enjoy the film.You may want to wear a hat and gloves and sip on something hot.
If you want to see this film in better quality, Go to you-tube and press the better quality tag bottom left of the film.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=V5reS0c60Yc

yet another pool

Most of you know about the old 1933 abandoned swimming pool north of Paris. Most of you know I've photographed every angle it has to offer and even some it doesn't. Most of you know Ive just about finished shooting that pool which is the subject of my a film called' les eaux muettes' (see www.philipbrooker.com) BUT! What most of you do not know until now, is that I have found another pool, YES ANOTHER POOL!!! and IT'S ABANDONED!!! and It's designed by the same architect . I took my first trip there this sunday with my new friend and tour guide Blandine. It's not easy to get to, it involves the metro, the RER train, a car and a small boat..oh! and my feet (lots of walking and climbing). The day I went it snowed like crazy then turned to driving rain then sleet then ...oh you get the picture...Above is a snap shot of the place. It's going to be fun shooting it. I had better hurry because there are plans to make it all beautiful again with a hotel etc, not really my idea of beauty... Next time I go out there I'm going to pick a sunny day. It has taken me 2 days to finally thaw out.

This project will be included in a book and a boxed portfolio.More about that later.....now where did I put my cashmere socks?