AS Monaco won 2-0 at Brest on Sunday to overtake their opponents in the Ligue 1 standings and move into second place, extending their unbeaten run to seven games despite finishing the match with nine men.
Monaco have 55 points, two ahead of Brest and with a game in hand, while Lille, who have also played a game less, are one point behind Brest in fourth after their 1-0 win over Strasbourg.
Monaco broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, when a poor clearance from Jonas Martin fell to Denis Zakaria, who took a touch to take him past the onrushing Martin and from the edge of the area curled his shot into the far top corner.
The visitors doubled their lead three minutes after the break, with Krepin Diatta’s cross from the left bundled home at the near post by Takumi Minamino.
Monaco had both Eliesse Ben Seghir and Wilfried Singo sent off in added time but it was too late for Brest to take advantage and they fell to their second consecutive defeat.
Lille overcame Strasbourg thanks to Jonathan David’s 12th minute goal, his sixth in six league games, and they have a five point advantage over fifth-placed Nice. Paris St Germain, who play Lyon later on Sunday, are top on 63 points.
The Monaco Grand Prix Circuit is easily one of the most famous race tracks in the world. For 95 years, cars at the peak of their day have raced here on the streets of the Principality yet the allure of this iconic circuit has never faded.
With just over a month to go until this legendary event returns to the Principality, the grandstands are up and the roads have been resurfaced. It’s the perfect time to get out and explore one of racing’s most mythical routes.
Turn 1: Sainte Dévote
Named after the Église de Sainte-Dévote that sits just to the left of the first turn of the circuit, this corner looks very different outside of race days. It is part of a major thoroughfare between Port Hercule and the Monte-Carlo neighbourhood which sits at the crest of the hill.
Turn 2: Beau Rivage
The winding Avenue d’Ostende has three lanes, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way on race day. Only the bravest attempt an overtake on their way up to Casino Square. Due to the sheer width of the new single-seaters, going two abreast is a risk that many decide not to take.
The meandering Avenue d’Ostende up to Casino Square. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
On the coverage of the race, the gradient of one of the most recognisable avenues in the world isn’t fully appreciated, but that steepness isn’t lost on pedestrians, who are faced with a real climb up to the Carré d’Or.
Turns 3 & 4: Massenet and Casino
Outside of race days, the track narrows as it reaches the top of the hill and Massenet, the official name for Turn 3.
The view back to Port Hercule from Massenet. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media CentreThe cars take a side route through Place du Casino, skirting by the Hôtel de Paris. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
The road that runs through Casino Square isn’t actually used for the Formula 1 races. Instead, the cars and their drivers make their way through a small stretch of tarmac that is usually reserved for visitors staying at the Hôtel de Paris.
Turns 5, 6 & 7: Mirabeau Haute, Fairmont Hairpin and Mirabeau Bas
The run down from Casino to Mirabeau Haute. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Heading down from the Casino, there is little space for pedestrians, but plenty of space for cars to overtake.
On a track notorious for its lack of possible overtaking places, Mirabeau Haute offers one of the only clear opportunities to do so.
Mirabeau Haute. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
The Fairmont hairpin, the most iconic corner in motor racing – and the slowest – remains the same year-round, with cars heading up towards the Casino hugging the red and white apex, which unlike at some other corners, is never removed.
The famous Fairmont hairpin. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
Turns 8 & 9: Portier and Tunnel
It is all change around this area of the track. Coming out of Mirabeau Bas, the single-seaters used to get a glimpse of the Mediterranean before taking the Portier turn towards the tunnel, but no longer. With the Mareterra land reclamation project nearing completion, this section of the track is entirely different to that of years gone by.
The entrance into the tunnel. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Along with the Fairmont hairpin, the tunnel is arguably one of the most well-known parts of the track. The drivers are plunged into darkness as they pass through before re-emerging back into the light as they stream past the Yacht Club de Monaco.
Out of the tunnel and down towards Nouvelle Chicane. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Turns 10, 11 & 12: Nouvelle Chicane and Tabac
Rather than continuing down Boulevard Louis II and back towards Sainte-Dévote, the drivers turn sharply left into a chicane, putting them within metres of the waters of Port Hercule. There is, however, a small run-off area for those who miss their breaking point as they come out of the tunnel.
As the route transitions into the Quai des Etats-Unis and then to the Tabac corner, the thousands of fans in the grandstands get one of the best views of the racing.
Turns 13, 14, 15 & 16: Louis Chiron, Piscine and Rascasse
Once in the port, the atmosphere becomes something of an amphitheater or a stadium.
The view back towards Tabac. Phot by Monaco LifeThe view of the pitlane from Piscine, looking towards Rascasse. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
As the cars reach the end of the port sector, they reach Rascasse, named after the bar La Rascasse, from which a lucky few can view the race.
The cars enter the port zone to a stadium-like atmosphere. Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre
Turns 17 & 18: Antony Noghès
Rather than continuing up the hill, towards La Condamine and the Place d’Armes, where the fanzone is often located, the cars make a swift right-hand turn onto Boulevard Albert Premier via the Antony Noghès turn, which is named for the founder of this emblematic race.
The final turn onto the start/finish straight. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco LifeThe temporary paddock, which is constructed parallel to Boulevard Albert Ier. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
Then the drivers are onto the final straight and speed along the Boulevard Albert Ier to either recommence the circuit or pass under the chequered flag.
The start/finish straight. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
In an impressive feat of victory, AS Monaco’s Roca Team have clinched three victories in Betclic Elite games against Dijon, Roanne, and Le Portel, just in time for the Euroleague’s playoffs.
It was an intense Betclic Elite match on 13th April in Dijon, as the Roca Team secured a victory with a score of 72-80. Roca Team’s key players Mike James and Jordan Loyd were out of action, but this didn’t stop the team from bringing home a win. The star of the game was Elie Okobo, who contributed 21 points, five rebounds, and eight assists.
“We won, that’s the most important thing… We had to win tonight to get closer to confirming first place in the standings,” said Okobo.
“It’s a great win, we manoeuvred well… This allows us to secure the top spot a little more,” added Roca Team’s coach, Sasa Obradovic.
Monaco vs Roanne
On 17th April, the 31st match day of the Betclic Elite league took place in Roanne. In this game, too, AS Monaco brought home a win with a final score of 92-99, solidifying their position at the top of the league standings. Star player Mike James led the Roca team with 20 points, followed by Elie Okobo’s 18 points. The crucial point of the game came in the fourth quarter, where the Roca Team outscored Roanne 29 to 31.
After the victory, coach Sasa Obradovic said, “We managed to execute our game plan effectively, especially in the critical moments which helped us secure this important win.”
Home game against Le Portel
Back on home turf on 21st April, the Roca Team faced off against Le Portel. This game showed the Roca Team’s preparedness against Fenerbahçe in a Euroleague clash on 24th April, with the game against Le Portel ending with an impressive 101-67 victory.
Jaron Blossomgame, Roca Team’s forward, said after the game, “We wanted to use this game to build motivation and confidence, and we did. We found our rhythm and shared the ball well in this match.”
The Monte-Carlo Television Festival has announced that the the Civil War spy series The Gray House, from Hollywood royalty Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, will have its world premier at the event’s 63rd edition this year.
Organisers of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival have revealed that the screening will take place after the red-carpet arrival and the opening ceremony on 14th June, which the Festival’s Honorary President, Prince Albert II, will preside over, officially declaring the start of the five-day Festival.
Several of the leads in The Gray House will be present for the world-premier, including Marie Louise Parker and Ben Vereen, along with executive producers Leslie Greif and Lori McCreary.
THE TALE
Set during the American Civil War, The Gray House recounts the true tale of the southern women who formed an unlikely alliance and changed the course of the conflict in favour of the North by creating an “underground spy network” that infiltrated the heart of the Confederacy’s halls of power.
Their danger-filled acts helped the Union defeat the South, thus ending the bloodiest conflict ever waged on American soil.
“As a storyteller, I’ve always looked to history. The Gray House is an important American story yet is relatable to audiences around the world because it’s a true saga of sacrifice for Freedom,” said Costner. “It is an epic spy adventure that will thrill, educate and inspire viewers.”
STAR STUDDED EVENT
“The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is a unique celebration of television from all parts of the world and continues to grow year on year,” said Laurent Puons ,CEO of the Festival event manager, Monaco Mediax. “We are very proud to have such a special drama to open the 63rd edition.
Founded in 1961 by Prince Rainier II, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival has grown to become one of the small screen world’s most pre-eminent events. The 63rd edition will be held from 14th to 18th June at the Grimaldi Forum.
With the promise of improved performance characteristics among the upgrades to the current GEN3 car, already hailed as the fastest, lightest, most powerful and most efficient electric race car to have ever been made, Formula E and the FIA have announced that the brand-new GEN3 Evo race car will be unveiled at an exclusive event in Monaco ahead of this weekend’s E-Prix.
The big reveal is set to take place at an exclusive evening launch event in the Principality on Thursday 25th April, just two days before the seventh edition of the Monaco E-Prix gets underway on Saturday 27th April.
Very little is known about the changes and upgrades that have been made to the GEN3 race car, but sources say, “The all-electric championship is set to raise the bar even higher with a race car that will be pushed to the limit by the series’ world-class drivers across Seasons 11 and 12.”
The GEN3 Evo race car is described as “an evolution of the current GEN3 race car… with improved performance characteristics that will highlight Formula E and the FIA’s role in pioneering technology and sustainable motorsport”.
Major changes to the bodywork, increased power capabilities and a possible four-wheel drive option are among the rumoured updates to the future car of teams that include the Monaco-based Maserati MSG Racing outfit.
Jeff Dodds, Chief Executive Officer at Formula E, says, “As we prepare to unveil the GEN3 Evo, we’re not just launching a car; we’re continuing to shape the future of racing. This next iteration not only exemplifies our dedication to innovation and pushing the limits of technology, but also enhances our commitment to delivering exhilarating, competitive racing for our fans. We are setting new standards in performance that will intensify on-track rivalries and fan engagement, keeping us at the forefront of global motorsport.”
Films at the cutting-edge of technology and innovation are to get their deserved moment in the spotlight at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, which has announced plans to dedicated a whole competition category to immersive productions.
The Cannes Film Festival is no stranger to exploring uncharted territory in the world of cinema.
In 2017, the prestigious festival made history by choosing Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Carne y Arena (Virtually Present, Physically Invisible) for its official selection. The groundbreaking and immersive virtual reality piece, based on real-life accounts and stories, explores the human condition of immigrants and refugees. By being selected at Cannes, Carne y Arena became the first-ever immersive piece to be presented at a major film festival.
Now Cannes is embracing this new approach to filmmaking and storytelling, and is expanding its embrace of immersive content, with the introduction of a new category: the Immersive.
The category celebrates productions that employ the use of new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality to create cinematic experiences that completely surround and involve audiences in new and compelling ways.
For its inaugural selection, the Cannes Film Festival has enlisted industry experts and Festival representatives to select eight ‘In Competition’ immersive works that “utilise virtual reality, augmented reality and other cutting-edge technologies to transcend conventional storytelling and transport audiences to other worlds, narratives and eras”. Guided by the Festival’s General Delegation, these films will be joined by a selection of non-competitive movies to fully complement the overall programme.
Over the course of the festival, which will be taking place between 15th and 24th May, the films will be screened at a 1,300m2 exhibition space at the Cannes Cineum, a cinema complex located in Cannes La Bocca, and at the Georges Méliès Campus, a centre dedicated to creative writing and film that forms part of the Université Côte d’Azur.
The names of the films included in the Immersive Category are yet to be made public.
