Best of World Radio Paris (WRP)

The History of Queer French Cinema with David A. Gerstner

This June, Paris gets a queer‑film takeover: David A. Gerstner is guest‑curating the Lost in Frenchlation screening series across art‑house theaters for Pride Month — all films shown with English subtitles. Want the perfect primer before you dive in? This episode is it.

More Info on Tickets and Program HERE.

David A. Gerstner is our brilliant guide: a published historian of cinema, professor at CUNY, and the author of multiple books and scholarly articles on film and queer culture. His sharp knowledge, warm humor, and infectious enthusiasm turn film history into a lively, unmissable ride.

Hosts Alex Brook Lynn (ARBL Murray) and Manon Kerjean sit down with David to trace the stories of queer filmmakers and films in France across the 20th century. Read David's short essay on this series here.

David A. Gerstner is a Professor of Cinema Studies at the City University of New York, Chevalier d’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and a prolific author of essays and writings on cinema, and queer culture. He is the author of 'Queer Imaginings: On Writing and Cinematic Friendship (2023)' and 'Christophe Honore: A Critical Introduction.' David's sharp knowledge, warm humor, and infectious enthusiasm make film history feel like the best kind of story, told by a friend in a cozy cafe somewhere..

From the Episode:

Notable filmmakers: Germaine Dulac, Christophe Honoré, Jean Epstein, Jacqueline Audry

David's short essay on the series: Queer French Cinema: A Historical Sketch

A few of David's books on Thrift Books

For further reading on Queer culture during the Vichy occupation of France David recommends:

Denis Quinqueton. ÉTUDE Loi du 6 août 1942.

Richard Plant. The Pink Triangle: The Nazi War Against Homosexuals.

This week on Where to Go Out in Paris, Georges Café in the 5th arrondissement

takes the spotlight: A lively, easygoing spot that evolves from a cozy café into a

vibrant evening hangout, known for its upbeat atmosphere, great drinks, and

spontaneous party energy. Perfect for a fun night with friends, it blends relaxed

beginnings with a festive spirit and even offers a photo booth to capture the

moment.

Focus on Serve The City, a non-profit helping the underprivileged on the streets of Paris.

This week on Book Talk with Clara, The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han

takes center stage: A nostalgic, sun-soaked coming-of-age story set during long

beachside summers, filled with romance, friendship, and shifting family dynamics.

Light, emotional, and addictive, it perfectly captures the magic and growing pains

of youth.

This episode's theme is Tables. Produced by Ian Callen

Parentalité is a WRP's parenting show each month. On this episode of Parentalité we talk about the science and culture of raising bilingual children. Sarah (Cheang) Oudet a researcher in the field of autism, bilingualism, and both cognitive and communicative development. As someone who is also raising bilingual kids in France she is uniquely qualified to demystify some of our questions and assumptions around learning multiple languages in general and for nerodivergent kids. Meg Gerner is our host this week.

Sarah will be the guest speaker at “Fostering Bilingualism: Supporting Your Child’s Language Journey” an event on November 5th 2025 at 8:30pm CET, created by Message Paris. For tickets to this event visit https://www.messageparis.org/event-details/fostering-bilingualism-supporting-your-childs-language-journey

Parentalité is a collaboration between Message Paris, an association helping anglophone parents and caretakers of children connect in Île de France, and World Radio Paris. ARBL Murray (Alex Brook Lynn produced this episode for World Radio Paris.

This week on Where to Go Out in Paris, Aqua Kyoto near the Champs-Élysées takes

the spotlight: A sleek, upscale Japanese restaurant offering beautifully presented

dishes in a chic, refined setting. Perfect for special occasions like birthdays,

engagements, or anniversaries, it combines elegant dining with a memorable

Parisian night-out atmosphere.

In this episode of “Holistic Being and Doing”, Eileen Jackson welcomed Rahul Bharti, teacher and holistic therapist who was born in 1970 in Goa, South India. Adopted at the age of 2 by a Swiss family, he was raised between Europe and south-east Asia.

At the age of 7, he started training in traditional Thai massage and since that experience, he has devoted himself to learning about health and to exploring the links between body, mind and soul. For over 30 years, he has given treatments to people and been forming individuals and therapists on self-care and healing, worldwide. He spends several months in France, transmitting his teaching and practices.

• Website link: www.thehealinghandscenter.com
• Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/thehealinghandscenter
• Book: https://www.editions-tredaniel.com/lecole-de-lame-la-ou-la-vie-enseigne-et-lame-murit-p-12962.html

Each day WRP broadcasts community news and events held in Paris, Nice, Cannes and Monaco by not-for-profit English speaking organizations. Listen to some of Polly Watton's recent selection here. You can send us your events by email : contact @ worldradio.fr

This is episode 7 in the Wild Angles series, hosted by Ian Callen. The theme this month is TREES.