John Mariani In Conversation With Iconic Actress And Wine Producer Carole Bouquet March 8 At Fiaf!

The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, is thrilled to welcome C?sar Award winner, former Chanel model, and expert wine producer Carole Bouquet back to FIAF for a special talk on the occasion of International Women's Day on Thursday, March 8 at FIAF's Le Skyroom. The iconic actress and personality, recently decorated Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, will speak with noted food writer and historian John Mariani about her prolific career as an actress, her passion for gastronomy and art, and her delicate wine, Sangue d'Oro, produced on the island of Pantelleria, south of Sicily.

Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, Carole Bouquet is one of France's best-known actresses. While studying drama in Paris, Bouquet was discovered by the renowned director Luis Bunuel and cast in his film, That Obscure Object of Desire (Cet obscur objet du desir) in 1977. After making her Hollywood debut as the Bond Girl in For Your Eyes Only in 1981, Bouquet starred in a number of films by well-known international directors, including Werner Schroeter (Day of the Idiots), Jean-Francois Stevenin (Double Gentlemen / Double messieurs), and Enki Bilal (Bunker Palace Hotel). In 1989, Bouquet won the Cesar Award for Best Actress for her performance in the hit film Too Beautiful for You (Trop belle pour toi) directed by Bertrand Blier.

Throughout the 1990's, Carole Bouquet was the face of Chanel No. 5. She has starred in a number of comedies, including Patrice Leconte's Tango, and Michel Blanc's Grosse fatigue. She has also been recognized for her roles in Claude Berri's 1997 film Lucie Aubrac, and Cedric Kahn's Red Lights (Feux Rouges) in 2004. Well-known to U.S. audiences for her role in the final episode of the TV series Sex and the City, Bouquet recently starred in Andre Techine's Unforgiveable (Impardonnables) and Patrick Mille's upcoming Mauvaise fille.

Alongside her illustrious film career, Carole Bouquet has appeared on television in Le Rouge et le Noir, and onstage in Phedre and Berenice. She performed in a staged reading of Antonin Artaud's Lettres a Genica, which had its U.S. premiere at FIAF in February of 2011. Bouquet also dedicates her time to causes that are dear to her, working closely with her charity Fondation La Voix de l'Enfant.

Carole Bouquet has said that "if cinema is my profession, wine is my identity." Since 2005, she has dedicated herself whole-heartedly to her passion by producing her own passito on the island of Pantelleria. Named Sangue d'Oro, the sweet wine is made from the muscat of Alexandria grape. In recognition of her indelible influence on culture and gastronomy, Bouquet was decorated Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by Frederic Mitterrand, French Minister of Culture and Communication in September 2011.

The evening will conclude with a tasting of the new Sangue d'Oro Passito di Pantelleria wine from Carole Bouquet.

About John Mariani
John Mariani is one of America's most noted food writers and historians. For 30 years he has been food and travel columnist for Esquire Magazine and for six the wine columnist for Bloomberg News. He is the author of 12 books, including the award-winning Encyclopedia of American Food & Drink, The Dictionary of Italian Food & Drink, How Italian Food Conquered the World, and others.