France

08-12/2023

35mm Film

I had the pleasure of a second university exchange at the beautiful Sciences Po Paris, Campus de Reims, located in the heart of the Champagne capital. The school is housed in a Baroque Jesuit college founded in 1608, which has been thoughtfully renovated and expanded with modern architecture. Reims itself, aside from the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, is best known for its Champagne houses, which I explored thoroughly. While the town holds significant historical interest, particularly from a Franco-German perspective, it is relatively small and quiet, prompting me to take many trips to Paris, nearby villages, and Marseille.

Paris, of course, needs no introduction. While my heart still belongs to Berlin, there’s no denying that Paris is a city of unmatched beauty and charm. There’s something about the light and atmosphere in Paris that makes anyone with a camera feel like an artist—until you review your photos and realize you’ve just taken the billionth picture of the Eiffel Tower. Beyond the must-see landmarks however, I particularly enjoyed capturing emotions at the Paris Techno Parade. Techno never fails to unite and the parade was full of love.

Marseille was exactly as I imagined. One of the oldest cities in Europe and today the second-largest city in France. We stayed in a wonderful apartment high up in a dense and bustling residential area, where you can immediately see and feel the complex history that has left its mark on the city. Although Marseille has undergone a transformation and shed some of its former bad reputation, certain areas still remind you of its past. The city is a vibrant mix of cultures and cuisines, all set against the backdrop of rolling hills and the blue waters surrounding it. Again the light was just phenomenal - theres just something about Film & France...