Diva diva died

[MsAmerica]

That is, the singer who played the diva in the movie Diva.

I mention it because Diva was such a remarkable movie, but has been so sadly forgotten.


“Diva” film soprano Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez Smith has died at 75
Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez Smith, a renowned soprano known for her performance in the 1981 French cult-classic film “Diva” and who sang through the U.S. and Europe during her operatic career, has died at age 75.
https://apnews.com/article/obituary-soprano-movie-07ef236577d6816614f11bd40448f6d3

Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez, the diva of 'Diva,' dies at 75
Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez, a South Philadelphia-bred soprano who sang in the opera houses of Europe and gained even more fame for playing the title role in the style-soaked 1981 French thriller “Diva,” died Feb. 2 at her home in Lexington, Kentucky.
https://artdaily.com/news/166749/Wilhelmenia-Wiggins-Fernandez--the-diva-of--Diva---dies-at-75

[YesTonightJosephine]

Hello MsAmerica,

I am so sad to hear this ... I love this film so very, very much!

DIVA inspired me to move to Paris and to continue to study French along with A BOUT DE SOUFFLE, BETTY BLUE, SUBWAY and so many, many more.

I am surprised there is nothing in The Guardian or Times or the French Press about this ...

My fabulous French A'Level teacher sourced me a copy of the book for the 6th Form Library along with the Paris version of TIME OUT, PARIS PASSION ... he was amazing and always indulged my every request for French magazines and films!

Merci Monsieur Keeley!

Vive Le Cinéma!

x

DIVA | France | 1981 | Jean-Jacques Beineix | 1h 57m

[MsAmerica]

I really LOVE that story. It's wonderful to think that a movie can inspire someone to make a big change - even if it's not a preachy moralistic movie.

I was just reading that a cinema journalist was inspired by The Graduate to move to Los Angeles!

[YesTonightJosephine]

@MsAmerica

I need to find that article re THE GRADUATE!

Other films of note that I would like to give a 'Special Mention' to are ...

A BOUT DE SOUFFLE
BELLE DU JOUR
BETTY BLUE / 37'2 LE MATIN
CLEO DE 5 A 7
LES QUATRES AVENTURES DE REINETTE ET MIRABELLE
SUBWAY

Pretty much all AGNES VARDA, JACQUES DEMY, JEAN LUC GODARD, TATI, TRUFFAUT and LEOS CARAX too!

I have a list somewhere in a notebook ... need to dig it out!

I will do it one day and share ... peut-être ...

x

#ILoveFrenchCinema

[MsAmerica]

Okay, @YesTonightJosephine, here's the piece. It was a memorial appreciation of producer Lawrence Turman by Michael Cieply, who said that The Graduate inspired him to fixate on Los Angeles.

Two Words For The Late Larry Turman — Thank You
https://deadline.com/2023/07/two-words-for-late-larry-turman-thank-you-commentary-michael-cieply-1235429449/#!

[YesTonightJosephine]

Fabulous!

Thank You @MsAmerica.

And I forgot to say too that 3 of us from that French A'Level class all moved to Paris!

x

[MsAmerica]

That's nice. Plus there are all the people who chose to visit a country after being captivated by a movie, even if they don't move there.