Post by davidhr on Jan 24, 2012 13:00:36 GMT -5
Obviously, the big news this week was Lara’s cancellation of her concerts in Lebanon due to ‘threats’. In fact, it isn’t clear whether she cancelled or they did; the theatre she was supposed to perform in was owned by the government, which was under severe pressure to withdraw her permit to perform there. The net effect was the same, so in one sense it doesn’t matter (although there might be some financial considerations), but her spokesman indicated that she had actually received death threats from the CBSI (Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel), which if true would matter!
Ironically, the people in Lebanon who chose Lara as their first really big boycott target were attacking someone without much interest in politics at all. This is not Joan Baez; Lara has so little political sense that she hobnobbed with leaders in Asia who were known brutal dictators without even realizing it. The boycotters justified their position by noting that not only did Lara perform at the 60th anniversary of Israel’s birth, in Paris (as well as several times in Israel itself), but that at the end she yelled to the crowd that she loved Israel. Lara’s performance there was undoubtedly associated with Gerard being the director of the show; and Lara always says she loves the country she’s performing for. She might very well admire much about the country, without supporting everything. But given the emotional climate, one also understands that some people might feel she is anti-Arab by virtue of being pro-Israel. As one Lebanese supporter of the boycott put it, would a pro-Hezballah supporter be welcome to perform in Israel? (I don’t know the answer to that).
Lara’s press secretary released the following comment: "Lara Fabian has never taken a political position. She loves Israel as Lebanon and there is nothing political in it. She is an artist and regrets having to cancel concerts for such reasons."
Lara’s own response, her ‘love letter to the Lebanese people’, emphasized why in fact she was going there in the first place. Lara has a great love for people of all nations, and she loves to perform for them. As someone else wrote, the fact that she was going to Lebanon in the first place (where many performers refuse to go), is indicative of her feelings for them, having performed there previously despite a less than settled political situation. The primary result in this particular case for Lebanon: they don't get to see Lara in person.
The cancellation, and Lara’s response, had a large footprint all over the world, as noted in the previous thread, from as far away as New Zealand, throughout South America, in Europe, Russia, and in Arab lands. The response of people in these countries depended to some extent on their ethnic and national loyalties, but even with those who sided with Lebanon’s position, there wasn’t a great hatred for Lara. Basically they thought of her as misguided, not recognizing what Israel had done to them.
Elsewhere, Lara was cast as a victim, and one with a great heart at that (due to her response). In particular, she garnered praise in the French and English speaking press, appearing in newspapers in some quarters that had probably never mentioned her name before. Some clearly did not know who she was – but the fact that she had been targeted as a worthy name to boycott, suggested to them that she must be a ‘great singer’. From a publicity standpoint, she probably couldn’t have gotten a better break, although I’m sure she doesn’t view it that way. At the least, it’s a useful diversion from the Mlle. Zhivago fallout, where she appeared to be the villain.
Actually, this occurrence helps us understand the situation with the Mlle. Zhivago film somewhat better. I mentioned this ‘Lebanese affair’ to an acquaintance who is Israeli, and his response, following a look of incredulity, was of the nature of “What did she think was likely to happen? She must be incredibly naïve…” One did wonder about Lara’s attempt to straddle the line in appearing before both Israeli and Arab audiences, and whether she ever considered the consequences of what she was doing. Apparently not; and this is probably true for the Mlle. Zhivago experience as well. A common refrain after Lara’s rejection of the film was, “well, if she didn’t like what was going on (and she did see the dailies), why didn’t she say something then?” Lara does seem to be naïve when it comes to the larger issues involved with what she’s doing (consistent with her often child-like vulnerability). This aspect of her personality is one of the things that fans love about her!.
What this implies about her future activities is somewhat uncertain. She says she will give a concert on Valentine’s Day that will be broadcast to Lebanon, with songs of love… how that will happen exactly nobody yet knows, although the Internet would seem to be an appropriate channel. Will there be an audience? Undoubtedly we’ll hear more about it in the coming weeks.
What this implies for her concerts in other countries is also uncertain. This publicity has exposed her apparent sympathies for Israel, not the most popular state to be associated with in some quarters. Can Lara still appear in Algeria, in Morocco, in some of the Asian countries with significant Moslem populations? The Lebanese boycotters have said that if Lara publicly proclaims that she does not support Israel or its policies they will welcome her with open arms. In fact, she has done that in the past, at the time ‘Homericains’ was released, when commenting on injustices in the world, she mentioned Israeli leaders. To do so now, though, would appear to be capitulating to ‘those who would use violence to stop the music’; but without many additional statements implying impartiality to her position, it might be unsafe for her to venture into certain lands. One hopes she is aware of this…
All in all, a consequential week for Lara; who would have thought something would arise to overshadow her concert in Paris and its revelations? That’s what makes Lara’s world so interesting…
Back to the Paris concert, good videos now exist for each of the songs. For those who want to put together their own DVD, a prospective cover (thanks to Nicolas Leroy) with the order of the songs can be found at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2815649563113&set=o.104543256256462&type=1&permPage=1
Additional photos of Lara from the concert have been made available. They can be found at the following sites:
lara-fabian.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=99
www.photos-pure-lara.fr/thumbnails.php?album=62
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150533322529326&set=o.104543256256462&type=1&theater
There have been a few fan ‘chronicles’, but no additional news to report.
Some comments have now appeared from fans concerning the Mlle. Zhivago film, following Lara’s somewhat more explicit discussion about what she feels is the need for balance. In general, the fans prediction is that if the critics/audience don’t like it, they’ll say that the Badoev version would have been better. They also wonder whether, if it does come out, there might be a ‘director’s cut’ version, in which Badoev gets a chance to show what he wanted. This is all premature, of course…
A poll is being conducted of the top ten voices in popular music. Lara is doing well. It can be found at:
www.the-top-tens.com/lists/divas-with-biggest-voices.asp
Rick Allison has started his own webcasts; the first one can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=61bLuVq3mco&feature=share
While most of it is not about Lara, he does mention that he would be willing to work with her again. The fan response was that they thought Lara’s best work was done with him, and it’s hard to argue against that.
Nothing on Lara’s schedule publicly for the next week and in fact until Valentine’s Day, however that radio concert will play out. So perhaps she’ll have time to look at Badoev’s latest version of the film ; [if he is really ready to send it - he has plenty of other projects going…]
David
Ironically, the people in Lebanon who chose Lara as their first really big boycott target were attacking someone without much interest in politics at all. This is not Joan Baez; Lara has so little political sense that she hobnobbed with leaders in Asia who were known brutal dictators without even realizing it. The boycotters justified their position by noting that not only did Lara perform at the 60th anniversary of Israel’s birth, in Paris (as well as several times in Israel itself), but that at the end she yelled to the crowd that she loved Israel. Lara’s performance there was undoubtedly associated with Gerard being the director of the show; and Lara always says she loves the country she’s performing for. She might very well admire much about the country, without supporting everything. But given the emotional climate, one also understands that some people might feel she is anti-Arab by virtue of being pro-Israel. As one Lebanese supporter of the boycott put it, would a pro-Hezballah supporter be welcome to perform in Israel? (I don’t know the answer to that).
Lara’s press secretary released the following comment: "Lara Fabian has never taken a political position. She loves Israel as Lebanon and there is nothing political in it. She is an artist and regrets having to cancel concerts for such reasons."
Lara’s own response, her ‘love letter to the Lebanese people’, emphasized why in fact she was going there in the first place. Lara has a great love for people of all nations, and she loves to perform for them. As someone else wrote, the fact that she was going to Lebanon in the first place (where many performers refuse to go), is indicative of her feelings for them, having performed there previously despite a less than settled political situation. The primary result in this particular case for Lebanon: they don't get to see Lara in person.
The cancellation, and Lara’s response, had a large footprint all over the world, as noted in the previous thread, from as far away as New Zealand, throughout South America, in Europe, Russia, and in Arab lands. The response of people in these countries depended to some extent on their ethnic and national loyalties, but even with those who sided with Lebanon’s position, there wasn’t a great hatred for Lara. Basically they thought of her as misguided, not recognizing what Israel had done to them.
Elsewhere, Lara was cast as a victim, and one with a great heart at that (due to her response). In particular, she garnered praise in the French and English speaking press, appearing in newspapers in some quarters that had probably never mentioned her name before. Some clearly did not know who she was – but the fact that she had been targeted as a worthy name to boycott, suggested to them that she must be a ‘great singer’. From a publicity standpoint, she probably couldn’t have gotten a better break, although I’m sure she doesn’t view it that way. At the least, it’s a useful diversion from the Mlle. Zhivago fallout, where she appeared to be the villain.
Actually, this occurrence helps us understand the situation with the Mlle. Zhivago film somewhat better. I mentioned this ‘Lebanese affair’ to an acquaintance who is Israeli, and his response, following a look of incredulity, was of the nature of “What did she think was likely to happen? She must be incredibly naïve…” One did wonder about Lara’s attempt to straddle the line in appearing before both Israeli and Arab audiences, and whether she ever considered the consequences of what she was doing. Apparently not; and this is probably true for the Mlle. Zhivago experience as well. A common refrain after Lara’s rejection of the film was, “well, if she didn’t like what was going on (and she did see the dailies), why didn’t she say something then?” Lara does seem to be naïve when it comes to the larger issues involved with what she’s doing (consistent with her often child-like vulnerability). This aspect of her personality is one of the things that fans love about her!.
What this implies about her future activities is somewhat uncertain. She says she will give a concert on Valentine’s Day that will be broadcast to Lebanon, with songs of love… how that will happen exactly nobody yet knows, although the Internet would seem to be an appropriate channel. Will there be an audience? Undoubtedly we’ll hear more about it in the coming weeks.
What this implies for her concerts in other countries is also uncertain. This publicity has exposed her apparent sympathies for Israel, not the most popular state to be associated with in some quarters. Can Lara still appear in Algeria, in Morocco, in some of the Asian countries with significant Moslem populations? The Lebanese boycotters have said that if Lara publicly proclaims that she does not support Israel or its policies they will welcome her with open arms. In fact, she has done that in the past, at the time ‘Homericains’ was released, when commenting on injustices in the world, she mentioned Israeli leaders. To do so now, though, would appear to be capitulating to ‘those who would use violence to stop the music’; but without many additional statements implying impartiality to her position, it might be unsafe for her to venture into certain lands. One hopes she is aware of this…
All in all, a consequential week for Lara; who would have thought something would arise to overshadow her concert in Paris and its revelations? That’s what makes Lara’s world so interesting…
Back to the Paris concert, good videos now exist for each of the songs. For those who want to put together their own DVD, a prospective cover (thanks to Nicolas Leroy) with the order of the songs can be found at:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2815649563113&set=o.104543256256462&type=1&permPage=1
Additional photos of Lara from the concert have been made available. They can be found at the following sites:
lara-fabian.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=99
www.photos-pure-lara.fr/thumbnails.php?album=62
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150533322529326&set=o.104543256256462&type=1&theater
There have been a few fan ‘chronicles’, but no additional news to report.
Some comments have now appeared from fans concerning the Mlle. Zhivago film, following Lara’s somewhat more explicit discussion about what she feels is the need for balance. In general, the fans prediction is that if the critics/audience don’t like it, they’ll say that the Badoev version would have been better. They also wonder whether, if it does come out, there might be a ‘director’s cut’ version, in which Badoev gets a chance to show what he wanted. This is all premature, of course…
A poll is being conducted of the top ten voices in popular music. Lara is doing well. It can be found at:
www.the-top-tens.com/lists/divas-with-biggest-voices.asp
Rick Allison has started his own webcasts; the first one can be seen at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=61bLuVq3mco&feature=share
While most of it is not about Lara, he does mention that he would be willing to work with her again. The fan response was that they thought Lara’s best work was done with him, and it’s hard to argue against that.
Nothing on Lara’s schedule publicly for the next week and in fact until Valentine’s Day, however that radio concert will play out. So perhaps she’ll have time to look at Badoev’s latest version of the film ; [if he is really ready to send it - he has plenty of other projects going…]
David