Leonard Cohen Night - BBC4 (UK) - June 19

[olive branch]

Just watched it again on iplayer and after greeting Leonard he calls out "Bye Axel." Would this then be his son with Marriane?

[tomsakic]

Well, Marianne told everything in 2005 interviews and the book conducted by Kari Hesthamar. She wasn't quite nice re: Axel Jensen, but I don't know what did she told as that part was edited from English translation of the interview (and the book is available in Norwegian only).

Axel Jensen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axel_Jensen (This article contains obviously wrong description of Cohen-Ihlen affair, from Jensen's source, what was attacked by Marianne in 2005, and also Cohen tells a story similar to Marianne's.)
Kari Hesthamar interviews Marianne Ihlen, 2005: http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/marianne2006.html
Kari Hesthamar interview Leonard Cohen, 2005: http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/leonard2006.html

Available stuff in Norwegian (Marianne's biography; interviews-CD):


Also, some parts of Nadel's biography leave impression that LC was raising Axel Jr. as his own son.

The book info from: http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/ihlen.html

Marianne Ihlen was 23 years old when she arrived on the Greek island of Hydra. Leonard Cohen immortalised her in the song “So long, Marianne.” The story begins in the 1950s, in Oslo, a town marked by jazz and a budding youth rebellion. Together with her boyfriend Axel Jensen, Marianne runs away to Greece and lands on the island of Hydra, where a few international artists have already congregated, and they are soon joined by Göran Tunstrøm. Axel and Marianne buy a small white washed house where Axel Jensen amongst other stories writes his novel Line. After a couple of years Axel leaves the island, Marianne and their six months little son, for another woman. One day Marianne was in the village shop with her basket waiting to pick up bottled water and milk, a dark man is standing in the doorway with the sun behind him. He is saying: “Would you like to join us, we’re sitting outside?” It is Leonard Cohen. He calls her the most beautiful woman he has ever met. Cohen drives her home from Greece to Oslo. Later she receives a telegram from Montreal: “Have house. All I need is my woman and her son. Love Leonard.” Shortly afterwards she goes to Canada with her little boy. Cohen, Marianne and “little Axel” live together during the 60s, and commute between Montreal, New York and Hydra. Cohen dedicated his collection of poetry, Flowers for Hitler, to her. He has written many of his most famous poems and songs inspired by Marianne. Now, for the first time Marianne tells her story in this book, in co-operation with Kari Hesthamar. The book is illustrated with never before seen photos, facsimiles and letters.

[burningviolin]

Just watched it again on iplayer and after greeting Leonard he calls out "Bye Axel." Would this then be his son with Marriane?

Doubt it was Axel junior, he'd only have been about 30-35 years old in 1988 if I'm right. Maybe its Axel senior??

Hang on, very confused here. Just watched it again and its the heavy set man furthest from the camera that says "Bye Axel" and looks in the direction of the people waiting to get on the boat. There is a blond haired man in the queue and is that Axel junior that Axel senior (if it is Axel senior) who is saying 'bye Axel"....so confused...

[Clem]

Or neither?

[hydriot]

Correct. Neither.

Bill Cunliffe (the owner of Bill's Bar) greets Leonard with a hug. The person next to him who Leonard is surprised to see looks to me very much like Alexis, a colourful character who had a "summer job" that many would find distasteful ... almost certainly including Leonard. Personally, I always liked Alexis.

Leonard has always described Axel senior in very appreciative terms and, if it were him on the quayside, would certainly not have reacted as he does in that film-clip. As far as I know, Axel junior has never returned to the island.

[jazz4111]

Yes, Hydriot, you're right it is Alexis Bolens, who in spite of his "rogue" status and questionable (long past) career - was and is a dear friend of mine. Half Greek, half Swiss, he lived on Hydra for many years - recently married Bill Cunliffe's ex-wife Lena and frequently visits Hydra. BTW Axel Jr. was born in 1960 and would have been 28 in 1988. He visited Hydra again 5 years ago.
Hope you are well... and your daughter got through her exams okay. AGT

[AvidCohenFan]

How do you two know Alexis Bolens?

[hydriot]

How do you two know Alexis Bolens?

My family has had a house on the island since 1964 (hence my username 'Hydriot') and Jazz4111 lived on the island in the seventies, I think, and returns frequently.

I haven't seen Alexis for many years, but always enjoyed his company. I remember him as very much a larger-than-life figure. I imagine his wild Errol Flynn nature must make him extremely attractive to women.

Thank you for your kind thoughts for my daughter. Her exam results won't be known until 20 August. I'll let the forum know when I know.

[jazz4111]

I lived on Hydra for 18 months between 1973 ands 1976 - 9 months was the longest at one time. Met all the "usual suspects" - stay in touch with many of them. Still go back every year or two - was there for 2 weeks last September/October. It's like Henry Miller said of Hydra "Hydra ... is like the pause in a musical composition ... that allows the composer to proceed in a new direction. Having touched this rock I lost all sense of earthly direction. What happened to me from this point on is in the nature of progression, not direction. There was no longer any goal beyond - I became one with the path."
That pretty much captures it for me.

[lizzytysh]

That's sure a beautiful and effective way of expressing it. I can only imagine how much more intense it has to be for those who have actually lived there.

[Evie B]

Proof that I'm not the only one who doesn't read previous posts properly.

Hi Jim

Nothing to do with the thread subject (sorry, but didn't really want to start another one).When I see your sign-off I always think about this report from Kenya - you may well have seen it yourself as it was the subject of a BBC programme 'The Miracle Lioness' presented by Saba Douglas-Hamilton of Big Cat Diary fame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD5bCNvAihU

Kindest regards
Evie B