Category Archives: Graduate Profile

Phuong Le Film Critic

Graduate Profile: Film Professional & Critic Phuong Le

In the latest in our Alumni Spotlight series we connect with Phuong Le, an alumna of our Film Master’s Programme in Paris. Since graduating from our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC), Phuong has been establishing herself in the film world, now working as the Editorial Coordinator for the streaming website MUBI and as a freelance film critic. Discover how Phuong chose to pursue her studies at our Paris School and how these influenced her career this interview.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris? 

I’m originally from Vietnam, and I went to college in New York. Having graduated with a minor in French and a Film Studies concentration, I saw Paris as the perfect place to be. Not only can I practice the language in an organic way here, I can also enrich my knowledge of cinema history in the very country where the medium was born. The cultural wealth offered by the libraries, the archives, and the numerous cinemas is invaluable.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?   

Before coming to PSAC, I was already aware of the great scholars on the film studies faculty, and the opportunity to study and learn from them was absolutely unmissable. Paris is, of course, another incredible attraction. Having previously lived in New York and London, I prefer staying in metropolitan, diverse cities where I rarely feel like an outsider. The academic vigour of the programme and the irresistible charm of Paris proved to be the perfect fit for me.

What were some of the highlights of your experience? 

There were simply too many highlights to count! I will always remember my first time going to the BnF library, to which I had a specific subscription for researchers thanks to Kent. The rather Sci-Fi looking library was unlike any place I had been before. To descend into the research “dungeon,” I had to use several escalators, which took me deeper and deeper into the belly of this futuristic, metallic concrete structure. The feeling was pleasantly overwhelming, as if I was being literally locked in a cocoon of knowledge. Equally pleasurable were my many wanderings from one arthouse cinema to another in the 5th and the 6th arrondissement.

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about? 

I’m currently the Editorial Coordinator for MUBI, a streaming website and distribution company for arthouse and classic films. I’m also a freelance critic, and I regularly write for The Guardian, Sight & Sound, and many other outlets. The job application process was pretty standard, and since film criticism is quite a tough business, I feel very fortunate to able to do what I love.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects? 

Absolutely. During my time at Kent, I developed an interest in psychogeography thanks to an engaging seminar on the subject with Professor Vybarr Cregan-Reid. Professor Frances Guerin’s course on Paris and cinema also furthered my fascination with how films represent urban lives. Now, I have a regular column at Sight & Sound where I discuss the relationship between films and geography. Such an opportunity would not have been possible without the many eye-opening seminars I was privileged to attend at Kent.

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them? 

Moving to a new country can be daunting, but from my personal experiences, I would highly recommend everyone to take the leap. As one of the few programmes that allow students to develop their scholarly or creative portfolios in English while living in France, PSAC manages to ensure a degree of familiarity while at the same time widening your horizons.

Merci beaucoup Phuong!

Connect with Phuong here:

Graduate Profile: Writer Tom Baragwanath

In the latest edition of our Alumni Spotlight series we connect with writer Tom Baragwanath, an alumnus of our Master’s in Creative Writing in Paris. Originally from New Zealand, Tom has recently been shortlisted for the 2021 Michael Gifkins Prize for an unpublished manuscript, Paper Cage, which he commenced during his Master’s. Read more about how Tom’s experience in our programme helped him advance his craft in our interview with him below.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I’m originally from Masterton, a small town in the rural Wairarapa region of New Zealand. I moved to Paris with my wife around four years ago. I have some family here and in the UK, and Paris has always attracted me as a place to live. It’s been fantastic to discover it over the last few years – though there’s still so much more for me to find, even in my quartier.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?

I’ve dabbled in writing fiction for a while now, and I was looking for a way to bring some structure and rigour to what I was doing on my own. I looked into a bunch of online programmes and programmes in the UK and the US, but being based in Paris already, PSAC was a convenient choice. I was also excited to see the kinds of writers teaching at PSAC, and I wanted to see how their particular styles, experiences, and practices could inform mine.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

The biggest highlight for me was forming a new group of friends with fellow students, and having the opportunity to benefit from our collective suggestions on in-progress work. I’ve been part of a few writer’s groups in the past (with mixed results, frankly), and it was fantastic to be part of an environment in which people take writing seriously, and where writers are encouraged to approach their craft with discipline and energy. Every single class was a chance to find new inspiration in what other students were working on, and that can be hard to find. The guidance and suggestions from our teachers were indispensable, and helped me to find some new ways to approach the themes and concerns I’ve been working out through my fiction.

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?

At the moment I’m working in marketing as a Senior Content Editor for an EdTech startup in Paris, developing my manuscript Paper Cage, and refining a set of short stories I’ve had on the boil for a few years now. The opportunity came about through some freelance marketing work I was doing during my master’s programme, and it’s been fantastic so far. Good marketing is all about beguiling the audience with urgent and enjoyable stories, so a master’s in creative writing is pretty handy.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects?

Definitely – although that wasn’t at the top of my list when I signed up. My background is in law and public policy in New Zealand, so studying fiction full-time for a year did seem at times like something of an indulgence for me, especially considering how dry some of my previous work has been by comparison. Besides being helpful from a career perspective, programmes like the creative writing masters at Kent are one of the few places people are encouraged to treat fiction seriously, and not just as a part-time lark.

 

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

For sure. I’d recommend PSAC to anyone thinking about taking some time to study something personally enriching in a stimulating and challenging academic environment, with attentive and dedicated teachers. It doesn’t hurt that you also get to spend time in one of the world’s greatest cities, either.

Learn more about Tom and his writing on his website.

Merci beaucoup, Tom!

Graduate Profile: Writer Darren Riding

In the latest edition of our Alumni Spotlight series we touch base with Darren Riding, an alumnus of our former American Literature Master’s Programme in Paris. Since graduating from our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC), Darren Riding has worked as a lecturer in Asia and is currently working as a A freelance writer in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Discover what brought Darren to our Paris School and his impressions of our programmes in this interview.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I am from Westmeath in the Irish midlands. It’s an extremely rural part of the country and I read a lot when I was young. I’ve always been interested in American literature and the fact that Kent had an MA course split between Canterbury and Paris was very appealing. For me, the sense of place was as attractive as the course content. Paris is obviously one of the most historically cultural cities in the world so it was exciting to imagine spending some time there.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?

The most attractive part of studying there was the opportunity to be part of a unique literary community. As the class sizes were small, we had an opportunity to bond with each other that simply isn’t possible on a regular university campus. Meanwhile, being in Paris is incredible for students of literature because of the history related to the Lost Generation, Shakespeare and Co. Great Irish writers like Samuel Beckett and James Joyce wrote some of the greatest works of the twentieth century there. As all of my course modules were influenced by the city, it made sense to immerse myself in it. Also, I have a shameless weakness for patisseries.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

There were guest lectures in the evenings with drinks receptions afterward. In Canterbury it was easy to overlook these type of events but in Paris we were all invested in them and tried to make the most of our experience. We got to meet working artists of all kinds and spend time in their company outside of the normal confines of the classroom. The postgrad festival was also a lot of fun. I helped to organise it and once we got past the stressful parts, it went really well. I’d really love to go back in the future and attend one again – without any responsibilities!

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?

At the moment I am living in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam as a freelance writer. I taught English in a university when I first came here but changed to writing full-time. It was a chance to live outside of Europe and experience more of the world, while being able to sustain the career I wanted.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects?

Generally speaking having an MA in literature has improved my writing. The fact that I studied in Paris is also an interesting talking point on a CV. I only spent a semester in Paris but I gained some skills I didn’t expect when we were preparing conferences and events. It is also such a multinational environment so I made connections from all over the world, many of whom I’m still in touch with today.

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

I would definitely recommend PSAC to potential students because it was such an enjoyable experience for me. As well as being in Paris, you it’s such a unique opportunity to get to know people – from fellow students to lecturers and coordinators like Peter and Frank. This really added to the experience because it felt like faculty members knew who you were and made you feel part of the Reid Hall community. If you are not from the UK I would also consider spending a semester in Canterbury as I did, because it is a gorgeous city.

Merci beaucoup Darren!

Sarah Kathryn Cleaver

Graduate Profile: Film Professional Sarah Kathryn Cleaver

In the latest in our Alumni Spotlight series we connect with Sarah Kathryn Cleaver, an alumna of our Film Master’s Programme in Paris. Since graduating from our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC), she has done research and writing for film projects and launched the Zodiac Film Club in London. Read about Sarah’s experience studying at PSAC and her time in Paris in our interview with her below.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris? 

I’m from London (born in Essex) and I’d wanted to spend some time living in Paris since I could remember. I began working straight after my BA, and after about five years I started feeling a bit lost, and knew I wanted to spend some time writing and researching and take a break from the hustle. I had a couple of ideas I thought I could turn into a thesis, and started looking around for a Master’s degree.  

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?   

Of course it was the ‘living in Paris’ bit, but I’m really glad I got to experience learning in Kent’s film department as well. I did one semester commuting into Kent (very early morning trains) and then two in Paris. My best friend had moved to Paris a couple of years before, so I was excited to join her for a bit. I also just really needed a change, since I’d grown up, studied and worked in London.

What were some of the highlights of your experience? 

My favourite place on earth is The American Library in Paris, I’d go there every weekend and read crime novels to relax. I loved Paris’ cinema culture, it’s so affordable and they show an incredible range of films. I met some really clever and interesting people who I’m terrible at keeping in contact with, but when we do see each other it’s like no time has passed. I think it was really good for me to lead a small life; a few friends, classes, books, the cinema, living alone in the tiniest flat I’ve ever seen. It taught me a lot about how much (or how little) I need to be happy. 

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about? 

A lot of things. Primarily I write and research. When I got back to London, I applied for a job as an image and editorial researcher on a book about London’s 100 Club and got it, so for months I was finding and interviewing people and trying to get them to send me photographs of them in the club in the 80s. That’s led to a few other research and writing jobs. I also have some copywriting jobs for brands and websites which I’ve found I like a lot. Real writing is 90% hideous and 10% satisfying, but copywriting is like word maths; there’s usually a correct answer and it’s pretty difficult to take it personally. I do write properly sometimes, mostly about film. I wish I did more but I’m a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to pitching. 

The other thing I did when I came home was start a film club with a friend. It was very much inspired by cinema culture in Paris–the way I saw a ton of films I would never have otherwise watched. We thought it would just be us and our friends at first, but we grew quite an audience and it led to writing jobs and other interesting opportunities. I’m not totally sure what this is going to be yet but I’d like to grow this more. Dr Tamar Jeffers McDonald at the Kent Campus runs this amazing conference called Gothic Feminism that I look forward to attending again if it continues post-Covid, but it was my first time there that made me realise that what I’m passionate about is delivering an academic approach to a subject in an accessible way to people who aren’t academics. That’s what Zodiac is about, that and very girly, trashy films. And overall I think PSAC encourages that combination of academia and real life.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects? 

I think careers and creative development are not necessarily the same thing. This might be a disappointing answer but I’m not sure young people have a ton of control over their career prospects at this particular moment in time, and that’s something we should try not to let damage our view of ourselves. I think everything I’ve learned about work I’ve learned from working. What’s great about PSAC is that it’s really valuable time outside of those kinds of parameters. If you want to do something creative, having something that you’re really interested in and honing your ability to explore and communicate it tends to lead to things in life, whether that’s like minded people or interesting work. That’s what I think studying at PSAC develops. Unless of course you want to continue in academia, and then I can’t imagine anywhere nicer to do that.

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

I definitely would. I would tell them laundrettes are the best place to practice French, to eat as many chouquettes as possible because you’ll miss them when you leave, that nannying is a really difficult job but a good way to build character. And to just enjoy themselves.

Merci beaucoup Sarah!

Connect with Sarah here:

@sarahkcleaver

@zodiacfilmclub

MA-Programmes-in-Paris

Graduate Profile: PhD Candidate Lydia Hiraide

In the latest in our alumni series, we caught up with Lydia Hiraide, who recently graduated from our previously offered MA in Postcolonial Studies at our Paris School. Lydia is now studying for a PhD in Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London, after receiving CHASE funding following a glowing reference from the School of English.

What are you doing now?
I am studying for my PhD in Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London. 

What attracted you to your course, and to Kent? Where did you study prior?
Prior to studying at Kent, I completed my undergraduate degree at SOAS, University of London with a year abroad at Sciences Po Paris. One of the reasons I wanted to study at Kent was to return to France and take up the opportunity to study at the Paris School of Arts and Culture. I was excited about taking my research and ideas across borders, particularly as my MA was to be in Postcolonial Studies. The chance to think about themes of diaspora and exile whilst actually exploring different geographical spaces was a definite pull.

Which aspects of your degree did you enjoy the most, and why?
Of course, one of the aspects I enjoyed the most of my degree were my classes. With the seminars being so small, we had a real chance to fully discuss and explore the key themes and ideas each week. Teachers encouraged us to be critically open-minded, giving us the opportunity to learn as deeply as possible. One of my modules was delivered in partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London which was great because it allowed me to engage with practitioner as well as academic perspectives. It also meant that I could pop into the exhibitions and bookshop after class which was terrific! I also really enjoyed taking up all the extracurricular activities that Kent had to offer both in Canterbury and in Paris. Whilst I was based at Canterbury, I undertook short Study Plus courses on things like art history and languages – a fantastic way to broaden my thinking and step out of my disciplinary box a couple of times a week. As a student in the School of English, I regularly attended creative writing evenings where faculty shared their work in a wonderful, open, and dynamic atmosphere. At Reid Hall in Paris, there were often exciting evening talks and events where I got to think about my interests from different perspectives and meet new people too. There was always something extra to do or see!

How has your time at Kent helped you in your career so far?
Whilst I was at Kent, I received the Ian Gregor Scholarship and I most definitely would not have been able to complete my MA without it. My MA has been indispensable to my doctoral research because it gave me the ability to self-direct and carry out research independently. The ideas and themes I explored in my classes have also greatly informed the content of my research today. I was encouraged to think deeply and critically about each issue and discovered a range of new thinkers. During my time at Kent, I also massively improved my language skills as I was able to take advantage of the Language Centre to brush up on my French – a language which I now use in my doctoral research. 

Were you actively involved in any research centres or projects? 
I co-edited the sixth volume of Litterae Mentis, the School of English’s postgraduate literary journal, which was recently released. It was challenging to get it together during a pandemic but it was so fantastic to work with other students, get to know the peer review system, and finally see the project fully realised.

What impressed you most about our academic staff?
I was in the middle of my MA at Kent just as the Covid pandemic first broke out and we had the first lockdown in France. Our teachers worked extremely hard to keep our classes going and make sure we still got the most out of our studies whilst remaining deeply compassionate, warm, and empathetic. I have also been very touched by the way that the support of the staff at Kent has stretched beyond the end of my course. I am still in touch with some of my teachers and they have also supported me to secure my place on a PhD program as well as a funded studentship for it. 

Are you still in touch with any of your friends from University?
I am in touch with one or two. 

Did you undertake any work experience whilst at Kent? What did you do? Did you find it was helpful in your studies and has it benefited your career to date?
I didn’t undertake work experience as such but was due to assist on a university project collaborating with a local secondary school where the students were supposed to come to Paris for a few days. Unfortunately, the project did not go ahead, but I got some good French practice in helping to sort out museum tickets and planning a picturesque tour route!

Could you describe a typical day in your current role?
Each day varies quite largely for me as a PhD student. My schedule is almost entirely self-designed so I have to put quite a bit of time into planning my week in accordance with my monthly, termly, and yearly goals. I meet with my supervisor every two weeks, so I normally spend the time in between these meetings doing some reading and writing. I’m generally an early riser so I spend the mornings handling any admin tasks, sorting and sending emails, managing my bibliographies/reading lists, and getting a bit of exercise in. Then, usually I spend the rest of the day reading, watching documentaries, and making notes before finding some time to do some writing. Some evenings I take language courses online but if not, I will always find some time to relax, watch a silly film, or spend time with my family.

What are your future plans/aspirations?
After completing my PhD at Goldsmiths, I hope to secure a lectureship teaching in a university.

Are you currently working, or have you recently worked on any interesting projects that you would like to tell us a bit more about? 
I am currently working on my PhD which looks at intersectionality and the environmental movement in Europe. I am exploring the ways that activists organise in the UK and in France in order to think about what it means to move towards a Black feminist theory of ecology. The project works with mixed methods and thus includes archival research, interviews, and theoretical work. Alongside my PhD, I have also been working on other research projects – one being based at Utrecht University which looks at inequalities in work-life balance, and the other based at the British Library on thinking about the role of the library in environmental policy. 

What is your favourite memory of Kent? 
It is difficult to choose just one but perhaps seeing rabbits ambling along the grass on campus! Being from London, this was quite rare and exciting for me. Being on campus in general was a wonderful and refreshing change from the greyness of the capital.

What advice would you give to somebody thinking of coming to Kent?
I would say to have a look at everything the university has to offer. Of course, you come to Kent to study your degree course but there is so much more available than that! From short Study Plus courses to SU events and activities to student organised research initiatives, there is so much to do both on and off campus. It’s worth finding out what is available as there is definitely something for everyone! (Also – that there is a free shuttle bus running between Medway and Canterbury. This was crucial to me as I was commuting!)

How would you describe your time at Kent in three words?
Challenging, exciting, eye-opening.

Graduate Profile: Novelist & Writer Jessica Andrews

In this edition of our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC) Alumni Spotlight series we connect with writer and novelist Jessica Andrews, a graduate of our Creative Writing Master’s Programme. Her debut novel, Saltwater, won the Portico Prize 2020 and has been translated in five languages. Her writing has been published in The Guardian, Stylist, Radio 4, The Independent, ELLE,  among others. Discover how Jessica’s time at PSAC helped advance her career and hone her craft in our interview with her below.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris? 

I grew up in Sunderland and moved to London to study for a BA in English Literature at King’s College London. I spent a year in London after graduation and then decided to apply for an MA in Creative Writing. I really liked the MA course offered by Kent and Paris seemed like an exciting place to live, study and work.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?  

I wanted to study a Creative Writing course that combined both poetry and fiction. The MA in Paris seemed like an immersive way to learn about another culture. Paris has a lot of literary history and so felt like a good place to study writing.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

The workshops were small and intimate and I learned a lot from my tutors and peers. I was particularly inspired by visiting lecturers such as Lauren Elkin and Adam Biles. I loved attending literary events at Shakespeare and Company bookshop and the occasional literature and music event at Reid Hall. At the end of the week, my course used to go to La Rotonde bar together to talk about books and ideas and it was exciting to be in a place with so much literary history. Learning French also gave me a new perspective on language which helped improve my writing. The MA gave me permission to take my writing seriously and space to experiment and develop my voice. I spent the summer living in Paris after my course, where I learned a lot about forging my own way in the world.

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?  

My debut novel, Saltwater, was published in 2019. I began writing a novel at Kent and knew it was something I wanted to continue after graduation. I was working lots of jobs and struggling to find time to write, so when my grandfather in Ireland died and left a small house in the mountains of Donegal, I decided to go and live there for a few months and write. While I was at Kent, I had a short story published in the Kent Anthology. An agent read my story in the anthology and contacted me while I was writing my novel. When it was finished, I sent it to him and he helped me to find a publisher. I was offered a two-book deal so I am currently working on my second novel, which will hopefully be published in 2022.

I also co-edit The Grapevine, a literary and arts magazine, with Catherine Madden, whom I met on my MA and who also studies at Kent. I recently set up a literary podcast, Tender Buttons, with my partner, in collaboration with Storysmith Books in Bristol.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects? 

Definitely. Prior to my MA, I had never really met a professional writer before. The brilliant tutors and writers at Kent were generous with their knowledge and were always very invested in my work, which helped build my confidence. They made me feel like writing a novel was something I might be able to do one day. The workshop setting gave me space to experiment and develop my voice. I kept in touch with my tutors and they continue to give me advice about the publishing world. I also made close friends on the course and set up The Grapevine with them.

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them? 

Yes – studying, living and working in Paris gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural history. It gives you access to the vibrant literary scene in Paris and the brilliant events run by Shakespeare and Company bookshop. The tutors are very knowledgeable and insightful and it gives you the time and space to build your confidence as a writer or academic and to develop your skills and voice.

Merci beaucoup Jessica!

Connect with Jessica:

Website: www.jessica-andrews.com

Instagram: @itbeginswiththebody

Twitter: @jessicacandrews

Graduate Profile: Writer Tom George

In our latest edition of our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC) Alumni Spotlight series we connect with Tom George, a graduate of our The Contemporary Master’s Programme. Tom George is a contributing writer for i-D magazine and Freelance Project Coordinator for VICE Media Group. His writing has also been published in The Metro, Pink News, Grindr and Amuse. Discover how Tom’s experience at PSAC was a life-changing experience in our interview with him below.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I’m from South London. I went to the University of Kent in Canterbury (UKC) for my Undergraduate and studied English and American Literature. After doing a few fun modules in my second and third year on graphic novels, 20th-century New York and queer literature I decided I wanted to study more contemporary culture. UKC actually offered an entire Master’s degree in it that included lectures at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London and an entire term studying in Paris which was the dream course for me.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?

When I broached the idea of doing an MA with my lecturer he suggested the term in Paris would be really great for me and my interests. I’ve always loved Paris as a city and the idea of studying modern Parisian culture whilst living within the city itself sounded truly magical.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

Probably having lectures on modernist art by Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Duchamp and more whilst standing in front of their very art and seeing it for ourselves. It was also surreal reading the works of authors who lived in the city and then going and sitting in the cafés they did and doing some writing or walking through the same streets. Life in Paris was also just so relaxed and exciting. My friends and I loved just exploring the city together.

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?

I’m a writer on fashion and pop culture mainly working with i-D magazine. I also work on commercial projects between magazines and fashion brands. I’ve loved fashion and magazines since I was a little kid so it’s pretty amazing to now be part of creating those same magazines. After my MA finished in 2018, I worked in fashion retail and wrote for LGBTQ+ blogs and copywriters. Eventually an opportunity came up at i-D in early 2019 supporting their teams on a project and my work with them just grew from there!

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects?

Definitely! I think the modules, my course mates and even just the city itself felt so inspiring to me at the time that I ended up writing a lot for myself and my own blog which eventually led to me writing for other media platforms and where I do now. Through PSAC I also met other writers, artists and creatives on my course and that’s been really helpful – not just as a network but also in terms of support as we all navigate being creatives within the working world together.

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

I would definitely recommend PSAC, it was such an amazing and life-changing experience. My advice would be to grab it by the horns and experience it all. If I was to do it again I would just go and explore even more because Paris is so rich in culture. I also made some really close friends there through this special shared experience. We still see each other and meet up when we can. We were actually going to visit Paris again last year until the pandemic hit. Fingers crossed we can soon because I miss them all and Paris a lot.

Merci beaucoup Tom!

Connect with Tom here:

Website: www.tomgexrge.com

Instagram: @tomgexrge

Twitter: @tomgexrge

 

Filmmaker Ece Ger, Film MA in Paris alumna

Graduate Profile: Filmmaker Ece Ger

In this edition of our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC) Alumni Spotlight series we connect with Ece Ger, a graduate of our Film MA. The Turkish filmmaker tells us how she ended up studying abroad in Paris and how the experience at PSAC led to the making of her first film, Meeting Jim, a moving documentary on Jim Haynes, an important figure in the Paris cultural and expat community.  Jim Haynes sadly passed away at the beginning of 2021 and a tribute screening of the film will be held virtually, via the film’s website and on BBC Scotland ,from 5 to 8 March, 2021. Further details on this at the end of Ece’s interview below.

Filmmaker Ece Ger

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris? 

I am from Istanbul, Turkey, but was born in Wien, Austria. My initial plan was to apply for the Kent MA programme which takes place in Canterbury for the whole three terms. However, an alumni friend of mine shared his own Paris experience with me and advised me to choose the Paris MA programme to submit. I am so glad that I listened to his advice and had the opportunity to study film in Paris at Reid Hall.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?   

Diving into the history of French Cinema, having the chance to observe the connections between one of the most cinematic cities in the world and cinema, discovering how they influenced each other… exploring all these new aspects is what attracted me the most about studying at PSAC.

“The Burghers of Calais” by Rodin, photo by Tommy O’Donogue

What were some of the highlights of your experience? 

 The most important highlight of my experience was the lecture of Frances Guerin called “Modernism and Paris”.  I remember being so inspired not only by learning about the early history of cinema but also by starting to perceive the cinematographic connections between the past and the present time in the city of Paris.

As Kent film students, we had access to the Cinémathèque Française. Going there several times a week to work on my thesis was one of the highlights of my time in Paris. Spending time at the Cinémathèque inspired and motivated me to learn more about my research topic, to discover a tiny bit of the film ocean while enjoying the delicious tartines at Les 400 Coups, the restaurant of the Cinémathèque.

I also remember the day which our art professor took us to the Rodin Museum. That day, my classmate Tommy O’Donogue took a photo of “The Burghers of Calais”, which won the photography award at the end of the year. While listening to the story of those burghers waiting to be executed, I saw the photograph Tommy took. In the frame, there was only the sculpture and the gaze of one of our classmates. Suddenly, that photograph became a bridge in my mind than connected those hopeless people and our classmate. It was one of those moments to realise how the information was transmitted between generations through any medium of art. The past and the present moment could get really close to each other, even intertwine through one image, through one story or a film. I never forgot that moment of realisation which was a true inspiration for me.

Last but not least, I met Jim Haynes through the guest professor Dina Iordinova who gave a seminar at Reid Hall. Frances Guerin introduced me to her after the seminar and Dina Iordinova introduced me to Jim Haynes, who was going to become the subject of my first feature-length documentary.

Excerpts from the Q&A and screening of Meeting Jim held at Reid Hall in March 2019

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?  

I am writing a comedy story full of spontaneous encounters that take place in Paris and a few more cities. During these difficult pandemic days, it’s the best way for me to stay optimistic.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects? 

The word help is not enough to describe the influence of PSAC on me and on my journey as a filmmaker. If I would have to come up with one sentence with the word “career”, I’d say, my career came to life at Reid Hall. All the adventure started there back in 2015. 

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them? 

 I would recommend to all the potential students to leave everything else and run to PSAC to feel inspired, to get connected, to gain deeper knowledge in their own fields and to discover their true passions and interests.

Meeting Jim – Free Screening 5-8 March, 2021

To mark the two-month anniversary of Jim Haynes passing, a screening of the film is being organised. Here’s how you can view it:

  • IF YOU ARE BASED IN THE UK, the broadcast will take place at 21:00 (London time) 6 March simultaneously on BBC Scotland, Freeview/YouView, Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and BBC iPlayer. After that, the documentary will be available on BBC iPlayer for a limited period of time.
  • FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD, the film will be available to watch for free here on www.meetingjim.com for 72 hours, starting from 19:00 Paris time on Friday, 5 March until 19:00 Paris time on Monday, 8 March.

Merci beaucoup Ece!

Connect with or follow Ece and her projects on:

Ece Ger’s Instagram

Meeting Jim – Official Website

Meeting Jim – Instagram

Meeting Jim – Facebook Page

Meeting Jim – Twitter

Graduate Profile: Arts & Culture Writer Rawaa Talass

A wide array of students from the four corners of the globe choose to pursue the MA Programmes offered at the Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC). In our Alumni Spotlight series we touch base with some of our graduates to see what they are doing today and how their studies at PSAC has influenced their career path. In this edition, we connected with a graduate of our History and Philosophy of Art Master’s, arts and culture writer Rawaa Talass. She is also the founder and editor aRTproject, a daily online platform dedicated to the history of art with a focus on women in the arts from all ages. Read on to learn more about Rawaa’s background, studies and current activities.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I’m originally from Syria and was raised in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where I still live. What brought me to Paris was a need to feel inspired again and to start a new experience. At that point in my life, in 2015, I had developed an interest in artists and their works and decided to study art history. I was really excited when I got into the Kent programme in Paris, which was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

 What attracted you most about studying at PSAC? 

I think location was key. For a long time, France had been renowned for promoting its rich cultural heritage through public institutions. Growing up in Dubai, we didn’t have art museums to explore. I wanted to train my eye by observing art as much as I could. One of the nice things about the MA programme was the several field trips my classmates and I were treated to. For instance, if we did a reading on Cézanne, we would go to the Musée d’Orsay to see his paintings and so on. I think to appreciate art, you need to experience it in the flesh..

 What were some of the highlights of your experience?

I have many fond memories – from the places I saw to the people I met. Strangely enough, I felt a stronger connection to my Middle Eastern roots when I was in Paris, as there are regional elements in the city’s cultural and architectural landscape — something I wrote about here.  So I would say that the highlight of my studies in Paris was meeting Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran for an interview for my MA dissertation. It focused on her patronage of the arts in her country during the 1960s and 1970s. Due to the Islamic Revolution of 1979, her activities were brought to a halt and she is currently exiled in Paris. Looking back, my dissertation was the most extensive piece of writing I ever undertook and it taught me how to be a better researcher.

 What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about? 

I’m a freelance journalist, writing articles on art, culture and society of the Middle East and its diaspora communities, mostly for regional media outlets. In 2017, I was a trainee at the Art Dubai fair, where I assisted in the communications department. Through my work there, I kept coming across the name of a publication called ‘Arab News’, and when I finished my traineeship I sent the editorial team an email pitch. I wasn’t even sure I was going to get a response. To my surprise, I did. In 2018, my first article for Arab News (a Saudi-based English daily newspaper founded in 1975) was published as a front-page story, which was surreal, on the opening of a new arts centre in Dubai. I’ve been regularly and predominantly contributing articles for them ever since.

If you would like to read about a more hopeful and creative side of the Arab world, please visit www.rawaatalass.com.

Merci beaucoup Rawaa!

Connect with Rawaa on her social media platforms:

Twitter: artprojectdxb

MA in History and Philosophy of Art student exhibits in Brussels

Artistic works by Janise Yntema, who is studying the History and Philosophy of Art MA at the University’s Paris School of Arts and Culture, are being exhibited at the Green Door Gallery in Brussels.

Janise Yntema is already regarded as one of the foremost contemporary artists working in the ancient technique of beeswax encaustic, and by using original photography within her work has brought a contemporary platform to this historic medium.

The exhibition at the Green Door Gallery in Brussels is entitled “PRAETER terram”. The works on display interrogate us on where we locate ourselves in a changing environment where sustainability is our only hope. Yntema’s use of beeswax ensures environmental concerns remain inherent within the works she produces.

The Farmed Land grey concrete by Janise Yntema

The Farmed Land by Janise Yntema

The exhibition runs from 28 November 2019 to 12 January 2020 at the Green Door Gallery in Brussels, Belgium. The gallery is open from 2-6 p.m. Friday – Sunday and also by appointment at other times.

Janise is originally from New York and received her formal art training at Parson’s School of Design. Her works are found in the collections of several museums including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Gutenberg Museum in Germany and the National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.