Latest news with #TheThreeMusketeers
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
How Paris quant giant CFM is keeping its local edge as rivals flock to Paris
In the ritzy 7th arrondissement of Paris, in a building that also counts fashion house Yves Saint Laurent as a tenant, $18 billion Capital Fund Management is hoping to straddle the line. The quant firm is trying to retain what it believes is its edge — an academic culture with a French flair — while also expanding its reach and brand in the US. The manager is happy to see Paris's financial services footprint grow, but wary of new competition entering its backyard. CFM is simultaneously proud of its 34-year-old history and constantly iterating on things that have historically been successful. "The apocalypse is on the horizon at all times," said Philippe Jordan, the firm's president, from CFM's offices located on the River Seine's left bank across the water from the Louvre. While Jordan was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek, the constant anxiety is understandable in an industry hyper-focused on the what-you-have-done-for-me-lately. The firm's $12.5 billion flagship fund, Stratus, was up 14.2% in 2024 and notched a 2.9% return through 2025's first four months, despite losing money in April. The manager's longest-running fund, $2.2 billion Discus, made more than 10% a year on average between 1991 and 2024, but is slightly down in 2025. The firm's academic and research-driven DNA is maintained by its ties to Paris's academic scene, which is known for mathematical talent from neighbouring universities like École Normale Supérieure and École Polytechnique. It's something that the firm's hoping to hold onto despite fellow quant Qube Research & Technologies and giants like Point72 establishing larger footprints in the city. The firm's office is a clean metaphor for how it is blending tradition and innovation: On a centuries-old street where Napoleon's chief diplomat and the author of "The Three Musketeers" once lived, the glass conference room walls are filled with mathematical equations written in dry-erase markers. "There's a constant race between alpha creation and alpha degradation," said Jean-Philippe Bouchard, the firm's chief scientist. Academic inspiration A dream of the manager's late cofounder, Jean-Pierre Aguilar, who died in a gliding accident in 2009, was that the firm would one day be "a cupboard full of computers" that just needed someone to turn it on to "magically make money," according to Laurent Laloux, CFM's chief product officer. "The idea of having technology and research interacting with capital markets to make money was there at day one, and we're trying to do it, but we have to evolve with the times in order to make it happen," Laloux said. From the research and technology side, it's making sure they're always on top of the latest discovery from academics and scaling internal computing power as fast as possible. The manager's latest big hire is NYU mathematician Eric Vanden-Eijden, who is one of the most cited researchers in his field, according to Google Scholar. He is leading an internal AI effort that will both publish academic papers and work with the firm's researchers to find new investment opportunities. The addition of Vanden-Eijden, the firm's executives said, came with the promise that any needed technological juice would be available for him. Vanden-Eijden has known CFM's leadership, specifically Bouchard, for years and was convinced to move from New York to Paris for the job. He's far from the only academic to be drawn to the manager. The firm strives to hire 15 doctorates a year to its research team, and Bouchard, who is a professor at the elite ENS where he got his doctorate in theoretical physics, said the firm's "originality" has come from CFM existing at the "border" between finance and academia. "We're able to source inspiration from cutting-edge research of academia," said Bouchard. He, Laloux, and CFM's chief investment officer Marc Potters all have Ph.D. degrees. "People from all over the world know that there's academic excellence in Paris, and there's quality of life in Paris, and so Paris is very attractive for people who we want to hire," Bouchard said. But there's more competition than ever for this talent. Paris push The French capital has a long tradition of mathematical excellence. Its universities emphasize theoretical training and are top destinations for research. They have also produced some of the world's top math geniuses. Of the 64 winners of the Fields Medal, dubbed the Nobel Prize of math, 13 have been French. This has made it a hotbed of quant talent. Previously, top banks and asset managers would recruit graduates to join teams in New York or London. Now, many of these firms are expanding their presence in Paris to tap into this talent pool. Fast-growing Qube is run by a group of former Credit Suisse traders, several of whom are French, from its London headquarters, but with an expanding Paris presence, as evidenced by the dozens of open roles in the French capital on its website. Quants like Squarepoint and Point72's Cubist unit have significant Paris headcounts. Quant-heavy multistrategy fund Centiva Capital opened up an office in the city in recent years. Former Eisler partner Adrien Delattre's new firm, which will manage money exclusively for Millennium to start, is one of the industry's most closely watched launches and will operate out of Paris. RBC's BlueBay fixed-income investing unit is opening a Paris office, according to local media reports. "There are new firms here that poach from us. We've gone from being slightly provincial to being more plugged into the whole world," said Jordan, CFM's president. While Bloomberg reports that some global investment banks may be slowing down their French expansion, given a tax increase and shaky domestic politics, buy-side firms continue to build out in the region. Data from regulatory filings compiled by fund tracker Old Well Labs show that Qube's investment staff in the city is now 160, compared with 50 in 2022, while Point72 and Citadel have more than doubled their Parisian trading staffs since 2022. While there is new competition for their talent, there's also a bigger overall pool of talent to fish in. Jordan cited the firm's chief technology officer, Benjamin Roy, who most recently worked for French investment bank Societe Generale in New York, as someone whom the firm was able to recruit because the city's "ecosystem is sufficiently large and healthy." While CFM's remains committed to its culture and Parisian roots, Jordan recognizes that there is no time for "nostalgia" in asset management. The firm's foundation is just as important as its constant evolution, including its focus on growing globally. CFM has been building deeper relationships with distribution partners in places like the US, such as financial advisory firm Stifel, which has several CFM funds on its advisors' platform. "No one cares what you've done, they care about what you can do," Jordan said. "If you want to survive and be successful, look at the future. Life is lived forwards, not backwards."
Wall Street Journal
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘The Three Musketeers' and ‘The Four Musketeers': Richard Lester's Spirited Swashbucklers
Few works have sparked the cinematic imagination as routinely as Alexandre Dumas's 1844 novel 'The Three Musketeers.' A hasty count indicates some 40 movie versions (the first and latest from France, in 1903 and 2023) and many more made just for television. But by common consent, the best yet is Richard Lester's 'The Three Musketeers' (1973) and 'The Four Musketeers' (1974), originally conceived as a single film with intermission but ultimately released as two separate pictures. Both have now been fetchingly restored in 4K and this week debut on home video in that form as part of the Criterion Collection. (Enthusiasts may select a two-disc Blu-ray set or a four-disc 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo pack.) The Philadelphia-born Mr. Lester worked primarily in the U.K. and remains best known today for 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'Help,' his mid-1960s filmed collaborations with the Beatles. At an early stage, there was apparently some thought of casting the Beatles as Dumas's sword-fighting trio plus their protégé D'Artagnan—an idea quickly quashed.
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Apple TV's 'seductive' historical drama that lifts lid on 'horrific' side of Napoleon
Apple TV+ is set to launch a brand new series this week, telling the story of the world's first celebrity chef who cooked for Napoleon Bonaparte History enthusiasts, brace yourselves for an upcoming drama on Apple TV+ that's sure to pique your interest. The latest series dropping on the platform this week spins a captivating yarn of espionage, gastronomy and romance that could potentially be one of Apple's finest productions yet. Brought to you by acclaimed French filmmaker Martin Bourboulon, the mastermind behind the recent blockbuster adaptation of The Three Musketeers featuring Eva Green, Carême is the riveting true tale of the world's first celebrity chef. Benjamin Voisin takes centre stage as Antonin Carême, a culinary prodigy who rose from rags to riches, cooking up a storm for high-profile figures like Napoleon, Tsar Alexander and the Rothschilds. The series kicks off with his ascent from modest roots as he grudgingly agrees to whip up meals for Napoleon Bonaparte (portrayed by Frank Molinaro), offering viewers a glimpse into the opulent palace's inner sanctum and its demanding kitchen, reports the Express. In a chat with Express Online, lead actor Voisin shed light on why Carême stands out as a period drama unlike any other. "The great thing [about Carême] is it's a small story within a big story," he elaborated. "We knew the general picture of Napoleon, that great emperor who conquered the world, but we didn't know what soft horror lay behind it. And one of them was cuisine. "He was recognised by all for having the best table, he invited kings and heads of state and government, they wanted to be invited to his table just to taste the food. And, of course, he used that and he had his guests eat and drink and at the end of the meal sign whatever he wanted them to sign. "So it was most interesting to focus on that aspect of things and go through the story of a 25-year-old boy who wants to become a chef and ends up in the Tuileries [Palace], the best place in Paris at the time, to run the finest team of cooks." While Napoleon might pop up in the series, he's not the star of the show. Still, by showcasing how pivotal Carême's culinary skills were to his rule, the audience will see just how integral the emperor's kitchen operations were, rivaling even his military tactics. Voisin's co-lead Lyna Khoudri, playing Carême's lover Henriette, chimed in: "The small story within the big story was what made it interesting. Just in terms of architecture, the story brought me to places I wanted to see on screen. "Of course, you have the kitchens of the Tuileries Palace, and when you walk around it you can't imagine that behind the arcades and buildings there were all these people working. That I found very seductive, very attractive." Voisin added his two cents: "Yes, he went to thousands of places, so you can make a series out of that, and it would frustrate me to just make a feature film because then you'd just have two hours to focus on a few tidbits of his life, but here you can go much wider because the man had a very exciting and broad life." Director Bourboulon also made it clear that while Carême will be the star of the show in the eight-part drama, Napoleon's presence will loom large throughout the tale. "Napoleon is not the main character of this show," he explained. "For sure, the story took place under Napoleon's reign, but Napoleon as a character is not the main character. "We have decided to not see him a lot. He's always in the shadows, in the back, we're always behind him. "I think it's more a show about the period rather than Napoleon's character, compared to previous movies such as Ridley Scott's, for example. "But we can learn a lot about Napoleon's drama and Napoleon's reign, about the divorce [from Joséphine de Beauharnais], about a lot of things." For TV buffs eager to dive into their Napoleonic history or just get lost in a sizzling historical romp, don't miss Apple TV+'s latest grandiose drama dropping this week.
Irish Daily Star
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Inside Netflix You season 5 Easter Eggs and what went on behind-the-scenes
WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for You season five. The final chapter of Joe Goldberg's twisted tale unfolds in You season five, peppered with Easter Eggs to delight dedicated viewers. For seven years, Netflix has chronicled the chilling escapades of "romantic" stalker and serial killer Joe Goldberg (portrayed by Penn Badgley) on his obsessive quest to find "The One". In its fifth and concluding season, You finds Joe enjoying life with his new spouse Kate Lockwood (played by Charlotte Ritchie) and their son Henry in the bustling streets of New York. However, true to form, it isn't long before Joe's roving eye lands on budding writer Bronte (Madeline Brewer), triggering a series of events that lead to his undoing. As fans delve into the final 10 episodes of You, here are some hidden tidbits and fascinating Easter Eggs from season five that might have escaped your notice. You season 5 Easter Eggs and facts The Three Musketeers You season five: Joe Goldberg gave his son Henry a copy of The Three Musketeers, the same book that Paco was reading in season one. (Image: NETFLIX) Joe is thrilled to see his son Henry developing a passion for books and gives him a copy of The Three Musketeers. This is a nod to the very first season of You, where the young Paco (Luca Padovan) is engrossed in the same novel when he first encounters Joe. Maddie's husbands You season five: Pictures of Maddie's ex-husbands are of members of the crew as well as co-showrunner Michael Foley as her late astronaut husband. (Image: NETFLIX) In the opening episode, we're introduced to one of Kate's siblings, Maddie Lockwood (Anna Camp), a scatterbrained socialite with a history of three marriages. A close-up shot of her social media reveals that her three ex-husbands are portrayed by members of the You crew, and her late astronaut husband is actually co-showrunner Michael Foley. Penn Badgley's real-life partner Actor Penn Badgley is married to singer Domino Kirke. (Image: GETTY) While Joe's love life has been tumultuous, Penn Badgley has found stability with his wife, singer Domino Kirke, whom he married in 2017. Kirke's talents are also featured in the show, as her song "Teething" is played in episode eight. Catfish clue In episode five, it's revealed that Bronte has been catfishing Joe all along. A subtle hint is dropped earlier in the episode when Joe visits the diner, which has "catfish" listed as one of its daily specials, foreshadowing the twist to come. Mooney's bookstore The exterior shots of Mooney's bookstore were filmed at Logos Book Store in Manhattan . However, a replica of the façade was rebuilt at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to facilitate the dramatic burning-down scene in the penultimate episode. Love's prophecy You season five: Joe Goldberg's first wife Love Quinn predicted that their son Henry would come to know who he really is, a "monster". (Image: NETFLIX) In a previous season, Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) predicted that her son would eventually discover the truth about his father. This prophecy comes to pass in the final episode when Henry tells his father that he's a "monster". Dual roles Anna Camp played twin sisters Raegan and Maddie Lockwood in season five. Interestingly, Camp also had a body double who appeared as the podcaster interviewing Dominique (Natasha Behnam) and Phoenix (b) in episode 10. Henrik Ibsen Henrik Ibsen In the opening episode of season five, Bronte confesses to Joe that she snuck into Mooney's to snag a book by Henrik Ibsen. This revelation later connects to her hypothesis that Beck's (Elizabeth Lail) posthumously published novel, The Dark Face Of Love, was edited by Joe. The connection is made when "Beck" in the novel makes a reference to Ibsen, an author Bronte is certain her friend did not admire. Full circle On the directorial front, Lee Toland Krieger, who helmed the pilot episode of You, made his return to the popular Netflix series to direct the final episode. You is available to watch on Netflix.
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
9 Netflix You season 5 Easter eggs you may have missed
Netflix thriller You has now come to an end following the release of its fifth season, which was packed full of Easter Eggs for fans of the long-running series. WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for You season five. You season five brings a thrilling conclusion to the saga of Joe Goldberg, packed with Easter Eggs to delight Netflix subscribers. For seven years, Netflix has been chronicling the unnerving exploits of "romantic" stalker and serial killer Joe Goldberg (portrayed by Penn Badgley) in his relentless quest to find "The One". In the final season, we see Joe living it up with his new wife Kate Lockwood (played by Charlotte Ritchie) in New York, along with their son Henry. However, as anticipated, it doesn't take long before his roving eye lands on aspiring author Bronte (Madeline Brewer), setting off a chain of events leading to his downfall. As Netflix viewers delve into the final 10 episodes of You, here's a breakdown of some interesting facts and hidden Easter Eggs from season five that you might have missed. You season 5 Easter Eggs and facts The Three Musketeers Joe is thrilled to see his son Henry developing a love for reading, so he gives him a copy of The Three Musketeers. This harks back to the very first season of You, where troubled youngster Paco (Luca Padovan) is seen reading the same book when he first encounters Joe. Maddie's husbands In the opening episode, viewers are introduced to one of Kate's sisters, Maddie Lockwood (Anna Camp), a scatterbrained socialite who has been married three times before. In a close-up of her social media, it's revealed that her three ex-husbands are portrayed by members of the You crew and her late astronaut husband is actually co-showrunner Michael Foley. Penn Badgley's wife While Joe has always had difficulty finding his soulmate, actor Penn Badgley, who plays him, has been happily married to singer Domino Kirke since 2017. She also contributes behind the scenes as her song 'Teething', both written and performed by Kirke, features in episode eight. Catfish A shocking revelation in episode five discloses that Bronte has been catfishing Joe all along. Midway through the episode, Joe approaches a diner displaying its daily specials, one of which is "catfish", foreshadowing the upcoming twist. Mooney's The exterior shots of Mooney's bookstore are filmed at Logos Book Store in Manhattan, but a replica was constructed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the dramatic burning scene in the penultimate episode. Love's prediction Joe's first wife Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) ominously predicted as she lay dying that their son would discover his father's true nature. This prophecy comes to fruition in the final episode of You when Henry labels his dad a "monster". Body double Anna Camp pulls double duty in season five, playing twin sisters Raegan and Maddie Lockwood. However, she also had a body double who took on the role of the podcaster interviewing Dominique (Natasha Behnam) and Phoenix (b) in episode 10. Henrik Ibsen In the first episode of season five, Bronte reveals to Joe that she broke into Mooney's to borrow a book by Henrik Ibsen. Later, it is revealed that this ties in with her theory that Beck's (Elizabeth Lail) posthumously released book, The Dark Face Of Love, was edited by Joe. This suspicion arises from a reference to Ibsen in the book, an author Bronte knows Beck didn't appreciate. Director The director of You's pilot episode, Lee Toland Krieger, made a comeback to the popular Netflix series to direct the finale.
