The second reason is to remain informed of what’s happening in France. Today, we live in a very unstable world and some extreme factions (including in France and America) are always trying to grab power. Just remember January 6, and what could have happened in America if (fragile) order had not prevailed. What took place in Germany in 1933, could happen everywhere. We must remain vigilant and prevent some unhinged felon from seizing power anywhere.
The third reason is to watch French movies. Most of Netflix’s offerings are boring, and unfortunately, many French flicks, have a dreadful reputation. Numerous end up in “queue de poisson” (in a fishtail) meaning they come to an abrupt, brutal, and disappointing end. The spectator is left hanging with some unfinished business… and there is nothing worse than unfinished business.
This expression, by the way, refers to a sailor who after several months of solitary sailing saw a beautiful woman lounging on a shore. He jumped in the water to meet her but discovered with great distress that she had a fishtail… a cruel and disappointing outcome.
It seems to me that French movie directors were all taught to use sadism in their productions… “the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain.” They probably read Ovid who declared “Pleasure is sweetest when ’tis paid for by another’s pain.”
To me, nothing is over until it is unequivocally over. Somebody lives or dies… a love story ends up happily or painfully… the thieves are caught or not… French movie directors, I warn you, no more “queues de poisson” or I will start a campaign to have you all shipped to Siberia.
A “queue de poisson” can happen anywhere, especially on the freeway. Some guy will suddenly cut you off with often disastrous consequences. That’s what usually happens when somebody watches too many French movies and became exceedingly touchy.
Morale of the story: limit your intake of French flicks, and if you must, watch instead animal stories on YouTube. The beasties will never disappoint you and drive you to hysteria.
Alain