NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – In our city with a French soul, symbols of solidarity are everywhere. At the historic Prytania Theatre, there was an impromptu back-to-back showing Wednesday night of “An American in Paris.”
“We’ve got a huge French community in New Orleans and they have relatives over there, and everybody’s affected by something like this. So we do what we do best, show movies!” says Prytania’s General Manager, Eric Ramstead.
The Francophile classic produced by MGM Studios stars Gene Kelly, who goes to Paris to paint. In the movie, he calls Paris a star and “the mecca of the world” for painters who want to study, live and be inspired.
Moviegoer Henry Griffin has a friend who was hurt in Friday’s attacks.
“I would have come anyway because it’s a wonderful movie, but it’s for such a good cause, which is not only to raise money but to show solidarity for our friends in Paris, France,” says Griffin.
Meanwhile, in the French Quarter, the Cabildo cupola now shines in blue, white and red LED lights, representing the French flag.
“This is probably the most picturesque scene in New Orleans; people when they see the Cabildo and the Presbytere and the Cathedral, they think New Orleans, and so this was a global way of sending a message to the French people that we’re behind them,” says Mark Tullos, director of the Louisiana State Museum.
“I think that we above all cities share a very intimate relationship with Paris and with France,” adds Tullos.
The tribute will shine all night long for at least two weeks.
“Paris is full of people who hold New Orleans in their hearts, and so it’s important for us to tell them that they’re in our hearts too,” says Griffin.
If you would like to make a donation to the French Red Cross (Croix-Rouge Francaise), click here.
