A Woman is a Woman (1961)

Une Femme Est Une Femme (1961) – Jean-Luc Godard’s first venture in colour – perfectly captures the spirit of French New Wave cinema. The movement, pioneered in the late 50s and early 60s, rejected popular cinematic formats, seeking out new and alternative subject matters; it frequently touched upon social issues, while embracing a youthful spirit and experimental approach to form.

Godard’s 1961 masterpiece features his long-term muse, a playful Anna Karina, whom he married during the film’s production. The story focuses on the relationship between Karina’s character Angéla, a strong willed exotic dancer who is desperate for a child, and her unwilling lover Émile, who isn’t so keen on the idea. Throughout the film, Angela shines through as a woman of great conviction and courage in what is a remarkable study of female independence in 1960s France.