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Day: 12 January 2022

Gal Gadot to step into Grace Kelly role in Hitchcock classic

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/01/2022

Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot will reportedly play Grace Kelly’s role in a remake of To Catch a Thief, one of the Princess’ most famous Hollywood films, set in the French Riviera.

According to a report by Deadline, Gadot will also produce the Alfred Hitchcock classic with her partner Jaron Varsano. Eileen Jones is said to be writing the remake of the 1955 romantic thriller, which was based on a 1952 novel of the same name by David Dodge.

A 26-year-old Grace Kelly starred opposite Cary Grant, aged 51, in To Catch a Thief, the only Hitchcock film released by Paramount that is still owned and controlled by the company. The story centres on notorious cat burglar John Robie (Cary Grant) who has retired to the French Riviera and must clear his name after a spate of daring, imitation jewel thefts in Nice and Cannes. Grace Kelly stars as the beautiful heiress Francie, who suspects John of stealing her jewels.

A scene from To Catch a Thief

It was the last of three Hitchcock films with Grace Kelly and drew mixed reviews from critics, with most enjoying the dynamic between Grant and Kelly, but others expressing disappointment at the lack of suspense compared to other Hitchcock films.

During a special USA delegation to the 8th Cannes Film Festival in 1955, Grace Kelly took part in a promotional photoshoot at the Palace of Monaco with one of Europe’s most eligible bachelors, Prince Rainier III, whom she married a year later.

Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress and model who, at age 18, was crowned Miss Israel 2004 and went on to serve two years in the Israel Defense Forces as a soldier. She achieved global stardom for portraying Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe series of films. She has placed twice in annual rankings of the world’s highest-paid actresses.

 

 

Mitchell to remain patient in transfer window

by: Luke Entwistle
12/01/2022

In an exclusive interview with Monaco Life, AS Monaco Sporting Director Paul Mitchell reveals that the club is currently reluctant to delve back into the market following the signing of Vanderson.

According to Mitchell, new manager Philippe Clement’s appraisal of the current group of players is dictating their strategy this month. “I think with the technical team change, and Philippe’s assessment, he is very excited about this current group,” Mitchell tells Monaco Life. “We’re also excited about the potential of this group, so I think we’re going to be patient, and remain in constant dialogue over the coming weeks.”

Given the unpredictability of the market, however, the Englishman didn’t rule anything out, adding, “As you know, we’re always proactive on the market, as making our signing on the first day of the window shows. We’re always open to strengthening. I like competition, I like dynamic groups, so we’ll look at that.”

Mitchell says that the club’s strategy is going to be linked to the market itself, and therefore departures will play a key role. “We always have to be ready and fluent because while the market is active, anything can happen.”

Despite the signing of right-back Vanderson, Mitchell is not looking to offload either Ruben Aguilar or Djibril Sidibe, although he does say that he would be happy if both stayed or just one. He is keen to highlight once again how delighted he is with the signing of Vanderson, especially given the competition for his signature, telling us, “We’re really happy to be able to fend off some stiff competition from the Premier League and Italy in particular.”

The current thinking around the club is that the arrival of Clement and his technical staff will bring “added value” to the squad, which should mitigate the need to be quite so active. However, as Mitchell points out, the fluidity of the market, or perhaps an unforeseen opportunity, could throw those plans up in the air and force Monaco back to the negotiating table.

 

 

Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

 

 

 

Fight AIDS Cup returns

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/01/2022

The Fight AIDS Cup charity match, organised by Louis Ducruet and Romain Goiran, is returning for a second edition, pitting Prince Albert’s Barbagiuans against Princess Stephanie’s Circus Football Club.

“In the first year after the creation of this match, only our team was reinforced by former professional players. We had to allow Circus FC to do the same, in order to attract more public and sponsors,” said Louis Ducruet, president of the Barbagiuans.

“This year again, the legends of football have responded, on both sides. We have the unconditional support of all these players and especially Sébastien Frey, captain of Circus FC, who facilitated the arrival of some of his friends. We are delighted.”

The charity football match will be held on 24th January and will be hosted by, amongst others, former Bien Sports journalist Alexandre Ruiz, who will keep fans abreast of the action on the pitch as well as review former glories of local and international football.

The Fight AIDS Cup is an extension of the historical match between the Barbagiuans and Circus FC that has been ongoing for over 40 years. The new name has created a direct link between sport and charitable values in the Principality.

“With my partner Romain Goiran, who is a child of the Barbagiuans, we decided to formalise this match to help my mother’s association, Fight AIDS Monaco. When this event took place at the Cap d’Ail stadium, on the sly with the Circus Festival, big names in football were already invited. We found it a shame not to share the potential of such a sporting event with charity,” Ducruet added.

The 2020 version attracted some big names including several former AS Monaco players. In addition to Sébastien Squillaci, Didier Deschamps, Gaël Givet, Andrea Raggi and Manuel Dos Santos, the fans particularly appreciated seeing Ludovic Giuly on the field.

The triumph of the last event puts the pressure on to make sure this year’s is equally thrilling and well-received.

 

 

Photo source: Fight AIDS Monaco

 

 

 

 

Sculpture to pay tribute to 14th July victims

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/01/2022

More than six years after the shocking Bastille Day terrorist attacks on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, a sculpture by artist Jean-Marie Fondacaro has been selected to pay tribute to those who perished or were injured in the attack.

An evening that should have been celebratory turned deadly when, on 14th July 2016, a 19-tonne cargo truck driven by terrorist Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhiel deliberately rammed crowds gathered for a fireworks display on the Promenade des Anglais.

The result was a heart-breaking 86 deaths and 458 injuries of innocent bystanders.

Now, the City of Nice and three victim’s associations, Promenade des Anges, Memorial des Anges, and Life for Nice, have agreed on a way to pay tribute to those who were hurt or lost their lives in the form of a four-metre-high statue to be fashioned by local artist Jean-Marie Fondacaro.

Fondacaro was amongst several artists who submitted ideas to the City of Nice after a November call for artists to design and produce a memorial.

On 7th January, the chosen design in miniature was revealed. Entitled The Angel of the Bay, the final piece will be composed of cast aluminium and will be made up of “an enveloping wave, like a protective mantle, a large heart on which the names of the 86 victims are engraved. At its top rises, poised, ready for flight, a bird-man representing a protective angel embodying strength, hope and the aspiration for light. Its face remains fixed on the heart, as its body soars, airy, luminous, propelled by a force of life tenfold towards the horizon. Its arms, its wings are outstretched and envelop in a gesture of union of the whole of the Bay of Angels,” said the artist of the work.

According to Hager Ben Aouissi from Life for Nice, “This sculpture spoke immediately to the associations. It represents what everyone wants. The union of all. It is a symbol which awakens memory. The associations wanted a work that symbolises union, strength, hope and light.”

The associations unanimously chose the piece and it will be installed on the Promenade close to the Hôtel Meridien. For now, though, it is for the eyes of victims and their families only and it is being carefully guarded by city officials.

An official ceremony will be held on 14th July 2022 to publicly present The Angel of the Bay, which will serve as both a reminder as well as a tribute to those lost on that fateful night.

 

 

Photo source: Jean-Marie Fondacaro Facebook page

 

 

 

Monaco Red Touch Challenge aimed at youth

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/01/2022

The first ever edition of the Monaco Red Touch Challenge, organised by Le Pôle Jeunesse, is daring Monaco’s young people to come up with projects, under a variety of themes, that will better lives and aid people or the environment.

It is open to civic-minded individuals who are looking for an outlet for a social project that falls under three main categories. The first is any proposal that promotes contact and assistance to the community’s most vulnerable. It could also be a plan to raise awareness for environmental issues, or a project based on educational training or personal development programmes to be executed in Monaco.

Participants can be individuals or in a group of up to four people and must be at least 16 years of age. Each project must have a team name and a chosen theme.

The project must consist of a presentation of the team, the context and the problem, the objectives and beneficiaries of the project, the expected results and the annual budget estimate. Each entrant will then present their project on 10 slides accompanied by a one-minute maximum video.

The best projects will be presented in front of a jury made up of specialists from Red Cross Monaco and the Sancta Devota Foundation, who will select their top two favourites. The first-place winner will receive €2,000 and the runner-up will get €1,000 from Sancta Devota.

Projects must be submitted before 13th February to jeunesse@croix-rouge.mc to be considered.