I've done a fair amount of radio interviews but yesterday I did my first ever stint as host. I was a bit nervous and tried my best not to speak too quickly (as I tend to) and I think it went all right. I was interviewing Elvis Mitchell and Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, on their amazing new film, "The Blacklist." It's an elegant and moving documentary and companion book of portraits and personal statements from 22 very prominent black folks from all walks of life.

It will air on KCRW and on NPR stations nationwide in mid August.

Posted by Trey Ellis at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Perched here against the old church in our town square I just blogged on the HuffPost about the crazy New Yorker cover and also on Babble.com about how close the kids and I have gotten on this trip. I can't stay long because they're bored now and I'm about to go back home with the bribe of some ice cream.

The script I'm working on is sort of an interracial Last Tango in Paris. I'm very excited about it. I'm pouring into it all the romance that my girlfriend and I are feeling now (minus the crazy kids, the diapers, the dog). I really wish she were here and that we could stay longer. The days are so long and magical, the tiny village so welcoming. I really can't wait to bring A and her daughter here next year.

Of course it's a little hard having U.S. dollars which are all but worthless now, but that has just meant that I've had to cook much more and a baguette is still just about $1.30. Fresh peaches are about what less than what they cost in Manhattan or Santa Monica.

And having to hike five minutes to get on the internet has allowed me to really focus on my work. Writing on the same instrument that you surf the net with is like writing on top of a TV set. It's very, very hard not to keep peeking.

Posted by Trey Ellis at 08:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Wow is it expensive. The kids and I are living on spaghetti sauce and (great) bread. Still, we’re hiking and going to the beach every day so how bad can it be? It’s my first time here without any help from a girlfriend or a nanny or friends so it’s just us three. It’s actually pretty wonderful. It’s amazing how happy the kids are just to play with me.

I’m also writing my butt off. I’m working on a script that has been my pet project for years. I work so well here. There is no internet in the house so I am not distracted. When I want to log in I hike up to the center of the village and borrow the Office de Tourisms wifi.

We’ve been here four days, after four days in Paris. It’s as magical as ever.

Posted by Trey Ellis at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I just got back from Ethiopia where I was in a conference to help the Ethiopians start up a film industry. I didn't get out of the hotel as much as I'd have liked but I did have an unforgettable experience.
Here are women buying grain to make njera, the signature national dish (it's that spongy pancake thing)

All the other Westerners were getting sick but not me. And then on the last day, right before boarding the plane for my 21 hour travel back to New York via Rome and London my digestive track rebelled on me. I'm still recovering. Still, it was worth it. I felt so at home there. Everyone, but especially the Ethiopians themselves, were convinced that I was one of them. I learned a few words too, like "Thank You" ("Amenesigenalu"). It goes such a long way in a new country. And "Ishee," which means "O.K." that works for everything.

Posted by Trey Ellis at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)