The Quest for Mitsou

Mitsou has been one of my favorite Québécois personalities for a while now. Though I didn't understand any of her lyrics when I first heard Bye Bye Mon Cowboy back in the late 80s, she still made an impression on me. Then, as usually happens to francophone artists in English Canada, she seemed to disappear, only to return a few years later with a rather risqué video for her song Dis-Moi, Dis-Moi. From what I've been told, her songs still get air-play during various Toronto "One Hit Wonder" hours on the radio. But despite our ignorance in English Canada, she's continued to have a vibrant career in Quebec. It's with that in mind that I contacted her representatives to try and arrange an interview. Her schedule didn't permit it earlier in the Fall, so I tried again in mid-November. Here's the response I got today:



Bonjour Alan,

Je me souviens de vous. Je suis désolée de vous annoncer qu’il ne sera pas possible pour elle de participer pour les prochains mois.Mitsou sera en congé de maternité jusqu’à approximativement la fin du printemps. Peut-être pour l’automne 2007?

Je vous souhaite un magnifique temps des Fêtes et vous prie d’accepter mes meilleurs vœux pour la nouvelle année à venir!

Meilleures salutations,

Julie
__________________
Julie Harvey
Dazmo Inc.

Not exactly the response I had hoped for, but rest assured, I'll try again. I suppose this is where my stubborn streak comes in handy, eh? I'd just like to take a quick moment to send Mitsou and her family my best wishes during the holiday season and, of course, health and happiness for their soon-to-be new arrival. Til next time...

Shot down

Yes, dear friends, it's true. Ol' Al B Here has been refused an interview request avec Lucie Laurier. I received the news via e-mail this evening. Here's a copy of the original
correspondence in French:

«Monsieur,

Nous avons bien reçu votre demande concernant la comédienne Lucie Laurier et nous vous en remercions. Cependant il ne lui sera pas possible de vous accorder cette entrevue. Lucie est actuellement en travail de pré production en vue d’un prochain tournage de long métrage et son agenda professionnel ne lui permet pas d’accepter d’autres engagements. Je vous remercie de votre bonne compréhension.

Marie Vanasse
Attachée de presse de Lucie Laurier»

For those who don't speak French, it basically says, "Thanks for your interest, but she's in the midst of pre-production right now and doesn't have time for other professional engagments. Thanks for your understanding."

No big surprise since, as I mentioned in my last entry she'll be starting work on a film called Nitro on September 10th. I had hoped to catch her before that, but that's life. Maybe if I hold my breath til I turn Québécois blue, they'll give me the chance to talk to her once filming wraps. Don't bet on it, though.

Til next time...