Yesterday I watched the french new wave film, Cleo from 5 to 7, for the first time. Directed by Agnes Varda, the story follows a pop singer's interactions around Paris for the two hours she's anticipating receiving the results of a stomach cancer test. That description sounds depressing, but watching the main character's personality transformation during the movie actually left me feeling hopeful. 

Also, the film was set on June 22nd, 1961. Although it had been in my netflix queue for a weeks, I accidentally ended up watching it exactly 50 years to the day! How's that for a random coincidence.

The cinematography of the movie also made me wish I could to take a trip back to 1960s Paris immediately.
methinks Wes Anderson really liked this opening title sequence

If that isn't inspiration enough, the movie also found a way to fit a three minute slapstick silent film featuring Jean-Luc Godard and Anna Karina into the plot somehow. Really, what more could you ask for?

Cleo from 5 to 7

Posted on

6.23.2011

Category

,

,

,

,

1 Comment
  1. Cleo CampertSeptember 21, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Hi Deanna,
    Nice to see your selection of images of this movie!
    I was born in 1963 and was named after the film; Cleo. I have never seen it, I definitely should, it is time! To read and see your introduction have been really nice, now I can't wait to see the whole movie.

    Bye
    Cleo
    from Amsterdam, Netherlands

    ReplyDelete

Comment will appear shortly after being approved by author.