"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." - Victor Hugo, probably rolling in his grave at the Panthéon, one of only a few Paris sites overlooking the cathedral.
The Film we use as background: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney's animated version), not free of charge but freeriding on Hugo’s 1831 gothic novel. As a newly minted French citizen, though keeping of course my Spanish nationality, I find myself uniquely positioned to appreciate the nuances of this Disney classic.
As Le Monde astutely observed, "The theme of discrimination is explored over the whole length of the film." How fitting, then, that this tale of outcasts and prejudice should serve as our lens for viewing the grand reopening of Notre Dame - a gathering that has brought together a cast of characters as colorful and controversial as any Disney line-up could possibly get.
As Notre Dame's spires once again pierce the Parisian skyline, a cast of characters worthy of a Disney movie assembles:
As the world leaders gather, it becomes clear that global politics has become indistinguishable from show business. Trump and Musk trade barbs on X, their verbal jousting drawing more attention than the cathedral. No need for Trump to escalate its façade like Quasimodo and, after him, my friend Sylvain Tesson.
Macron attempts to direct the show, but like Frollo, his control is more an illusion than reality. The dividing lines between entertainment and politics blur further. Who needs Hollywood when you have the real-time drama of international relations playing out on social media?
Meanwhile, in the shadows of this grand spectacle, Eurodisney's Christmas festivities, just a few miles up the Marne river, twinkle forlornly. Mickey Mouse watches as his kingdom of make-believe is overshadowed by the very real and equally choreographed theatre of global politics.
To Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney: Perhaps it's time to take things seriously and defend your shareholders. Sue President Macron for unfair competition. After all, what chance does the Magic Kingdom’s Christmas time stand against the divine drama unfolding at Notre Dame?
Your Honour - some haggard attorney could plead - we argue that by orchestrating this political spectacle, Mr Macron has infringed Disney's copyright of fantasy and wonder. We demand compensation for emotional distress caused to all cartoon characters and a formal apology to be delivered by the culprit. Until next time, dear readers, remember: in the grand show of life, we're all just characters in someone else's script. The question is, whose?
"The story of our lives is not our lives; it is our story." - Victor Hugo, or possibly a(nother) Disney screenwriter.
01/11/2024
While new EU Commissioners-designate prepare for their public hearings at the European Parliament and everyone (else) is counting the seconds for the outcome of the US elections, my journeys have taken me to Spain, Paris, London, Germany, and Brussels.
02/12/2024
From Trump to Brussels, via Spain and Paris, discover our new For What It's Worth (now available on LinkedIn by subscribing). In this new issue, we take an incisive and sometimes ironic look behind the scenes of power. Inspired by “There Will Be Blood”, this issue looks at the opportunities emerging in these tumultuous times.
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