A woman is a woman is a film by Jean – Luc Godard that I saw during the CCW Foundation film program that took place every Wednesday morning in Odeon.
I have to begin saying that the place chosen for the screenings, for me, already made me like each film a little and appreciate each one more.
I want to write about this film though, because for me it stood out, it was the one I thought about most. Perhaps, even because the genre of this film is debatable – if it is a comedy or a tragedy, or maybe because of the time that the film was shot in – 1961, those times women’s fashions were much more feminine and, to be honest, I absolutely adore fashion of 50s and 60s so it was a great experience just visually, too.
This film was a great inspiration for me, as a couple of weeks after seeing the film I have made a skirt in Anna Karina’s style, or “The New Look” style which was invented by the great artist Christian Dior in the 50s as a response to depression times, trying to make women happier by making them look ultra feminine and elegant, which I think worked, as up to these days a lot of women still love “The New Look” style and pay enormous money trying to buy an authentic garment of that time.
I also adore the femininity of Anna Karina in the movie. Although she for her time if quite feministic and rebellious, I still think that she is very different to women now. The way she dresses, speaks, behaves all makes her a romantic character. Now women in cinema are all spies and fighters, you don’t get to see women the way I think they should be – feminine.
In one of the reviews of the film on the web I found this one - “''A Woman Is a Woman'' (''Une Femme Est une Femme'') from 1961, Jean-Luc Godard's whimsical celebration of romance, sentiment, musical comedy, color film, the city of Paris and the abundant charms of Ms. Karina herself, who at the time was also Madame Godard”, which I think is a great description of the film in my eyes.
I think I loved the film so much also because it is set in France and the whole film I heard French language, which I find very appealing and romantic. It set out the whole mood for the film, alongside with the main problem posed in the film – the difficulties of human relationships and how they are caused by differences in each one of us.
I would give this film a 5 out 0f 5 rating, to me this film had everything I want in good film: deeper meaning, great setting and therefore sound, beautiful picture and most importantly I think it is one of those films that leaves you with this special inspirational feeling, it makes you think about it. I would honestly recommend this film as a great experience.
(Link to the article: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D01E5DA163EF935A25756C0A9659C8B63)
