Lagarde, Rita Moreno, Chris Dodd, Michael Apted: D.C.
The International Monetary Fund’s managing director, Christine Lagarde, stopped by the French Embassy Saturday night for its annual Bastille Day celebration.
A record 3,000 members of Washington’s French community sipped Charles de Fere champagne and waved French flags.
The evening was “a bit nostalgic” for Roland Celette, the embassy’s cultural attache. He said he would be returning to France next month after 11 years in his post in Washington. His attitude about the change was a decidedly French one.
“That’s life,” he said with a shrug.
On Thursday evening, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was among the Francophiles who attended a special Bastille reception for Americans at the home of Ambassador Francois Delattre.
Gene Kelly
At the Smithsonian National Museum of American History Friday night, Patricia Kelly and Rita Moreno shared stories in front of the original poster for the 1952 movie “Singin’ in the Rain.”
Kelly is the widow of the film’s choreographer and co- director Gene Kelly; Moreno was a fresh faced ingenue in the musical.
“It’s the Puerto Rican genes,” said Moreno, 80, on her enduring glow.
The film is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and a screening and reception in its honor kicked off the Smithsonian’s three-day festival commemorating the birth of sound in motion pictures.
Kelly said the Smithsonian holds a special place in her heart as she met Gene Kelly in 1985 at the National Air and Space Museum. The two married five years later. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of Gene Kelly’s birth.
“Singin’ in the Rain” was screened in an auditorium at the Smithsonian provided by a gift from Warner Bros. Artifacts from the film came from the company’s archives.
Ronnee Sass, vice president for publicity and promotion at Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, wore galoshes to the reception held on the museum’s first floor. Chris Kay, a Department of Defense staffer, wore a traditional beige raincoat and fedora while others donned glam 1920s ensembles in homage to the movie’s silent-film-era setting. Umbrellas were the favorite accessory of the night.
Manhattan cocktails were passed and appetizers were served on tables under umbrellas drizzled in “raindrop” crystals.
“Invitation to the Dance: Gene Kelly @ 100,” a program of 23 movies presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, will screen at the Walter Reade Theater through July 26.
Michael Apted
Former Senator Christopher Dodd, the chairman and chief executive of the Motion Picture Association of America, is bringing his own version of “Inside the Actors Studio” to his organization’s headquarters.
He hosted the inaugural “Evening With” Thursday night with Michael Apted, the director of films such as “Gorillas in the Mist,” “Amazing Grace” and “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”
Among those who attended the reception and interview were William Cohen, former secretary of defense and chairman and CEO of the Cohen Group, Irish Ambassador Michael Collins and Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan.
Dodd said he wants to expose Washington insiders to the art of filmmaking through conversations with actors, directors and other artists.
As for his own summer-movie favorites, Dodd said he was a fan of “Brave,” the animated children’s film. “Vive la redhead!” he joked, referring to the movie’s redheaded heroine.
(Stephanie Green is a writer and photographer for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. Any opinions expressed are her own.)
Muse highlights include Elin McCoy on wine.
To contact the writer on this story: Stephanie Green in Washington at sgreen57@bloomberg.net or on Twitter @stephlgreen.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
French Embassy Bastille Celebration
French Ambassador Francois Delattre, International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde, and Xavier Giocanti at the French Embassy's Bastille Day celebration. Photo: French Embassy via Bloomberg
French Ambassador Francois Delattre, International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde, and Xavier Giocanti at the French Embassy's Bastille Day celebration. Photo: French Embassy via Bloomberg
French Embassy Bastille Celebration
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Roland Celette, the embassy's outgoing cultural attache.
Roland Celette, the embassy's outgoing cultural attache. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
French Embassy Bastille Celebration
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Guests gathered around the embassy's fountain at the annual Bastille Day celebration. Some even took a dip to cool off.
Guests gathered around the embassy's fountain at the annual Bastille Day celebration. Some even took a dip to cool off. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Singin in the Rain reception
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Patricia Kelly, the widow of Gene Kelly, and actress Rita Moreno. In the background is the film's original poster.
Patricia Kelly, the widow of Gene Kelly, and actress Rita Moreno. In the background is the film's original poster. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Singin in the Rain Reception
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Umbrellas and crystal raindrops added fun flair to the food tables.
Umbrellas and crystal raindrops added fun flair to the food tables. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Singin in the Rain Reception
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Retired social worker Susan Smith.
Retired social worker Susan Smith. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Singin in the Rain Reception
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Chris Kay with the Department of Defense, and Suzy Kay, a psychologist.
Chris Kay with the Department of Defense, and Suzy Kay, a psychologist. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
The MPAA's "Evening With..."
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
MPAA chairman Chris Dodd, Janet Cohen, and film director Michael Apted at the MPAA's inaugural "Evening With..." reception and Q & A.
MPAA chairman Chris Dodd, Janet Cohen, and film director Michael Apted at the MPAA's inaugural "Evening With..." reception and Q & A. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
The MPAA's "Evening With..."
Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
The Cohen Group founder Bill Cohen, Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan, and Irish Ambassador Michael Collins.
The Cohen Group founder Bill Cohen, Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan, and Irish Ambassador Michael Collins. Photographer: Stephanie Green/Bloomberg
Rate this Page
Bloomberg moderates all comments. Comments that are abusive or off-topic will not be posted to the site. Excessively long comments may be moderated as well. Bloomberg cannot facilitate requests to remove comments or explain individual moderation decisions.