Cinema lovers, particularly fans of the French New Wave, are in for a treat. Jean-Luc Godard’s vibrant and playful 1961 classic A Woman Is a Woman will be showcased in a newly restored 4K version, offering audiences a chance to experience the film in all its Technicolor glory on the big screen. The restoration will debut in the U.S. at Film Forum in New York City from February 7-20.
Originally released in 1961, A Woman Is a Woman arrived just a year after Godard cemented his place in film history with the groundbreaking Breathless. With this film, Godard paid homage to Hollywood’s Technicolor musicals, a genre that inspired much of his work. The film stars Anna Karina, Godard’s wife and frequent collaborator, as a dancer torn between the romantic attentions of two men, portrayed by Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean-Claude Brialy. Beyond its romantic plot, the film serves as a snapshot of shifting gender dynamics in the early 1960s, all while celebrating Godard’s profound passion for cinema—a theme that remains as compelling today as it was over six decades ago.
Visually, A Woman Is a Woman is a feast for the eyes, characterized by bold, bright colors that would become a hallmark of Godard’s later works, including Contempt and Pierrot Le Fou. But it’s more than just a visual treat. The film showcases Godard’s penchant for cinematic experimentation and his playful subversion of traditional storytelling. The director blends clever visual gags with references to Hollywood, the French New Wave, and even his own previous works, creating a meta-cinematic experience that comments on the filmmaking revolution taking place during that period.
The film’s whimsical approach to the musical genre has left a lasting legacy, influencing later works such as Jacques Demy’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Damien Chazelle’s La La Land. For Godard enthusiasts, A Woman Is a Woman stands as a testament to his versatility—proving that the master of radical cinema was just as capable of crafting accessible, light-hearted entertainment.
The new 4K restoration of A Woman Is a Woman, overseen by Studiocanal with support from the CNC, was scanned from the original 35mm negatives by Hiventy. The restored version promises to bring fresh clarity to this already beloved classic. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a true gem of French cinema on the big screen—A Woman Is a Woman runs from February 7-20 at Film Forum.
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