Friday, June 19, 2009

CLEO DE 5 A 7...



I have wanted to see this film forever, and kicked myself for not buying the DVD when I had the chance at an Agnes Varda exhibition in Paris. But thanks to some kind soul we can all watch it.

It was really interesting but kind of boring - and that will be the title for my new book on French New Wave cinema! No, seriously, it was perhaps not a good idea to watch it when I was feeling restless, as it unfolds almost in real time. Visually it's the perfect snapshot of 1960s Paris. Watch it in bed on a rainy afternoon with a slight hangover.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

well from a film history perspective this film is important...the only woman director part of the french new wave (although debatable how much she was accepted into that group..); agnes varda was a still photographer who later became a film director (gorgeous black and white cinematography!)...and when put into context, really just the notion of experimenting with the formal aspects of cinema and the narrative structure, the use of reel time was something quite interesting at time.

and at the end of the day...the beauty of art is the option to not necessarily like it...or to love it.

anywayyyy...glad you posted this.

nancy :)

Claire said...

nancy - I know, I know, it's "important" and I actually did enjoy it more than it sounds in the post - but I thought my description of french new wave cinema was spot on! and important to be irreverent about these things sometimes...

RD said...

Did I tell you I saw Anges Vards speak last year? She now does video pieces and there was one installed in Boston and I managed to get in to hear her to a Q & A. Remarkably energetic and funny woman for someone who is now 80 (+?)... In any case, I have her films on me to-see list... xoxo BB

Claire said...

No you didn't BB - I would love to hear her speak. Was the video to do with the region of France she is from? - the Camargue I think. If so, I saw it at the Fondation Cartier.

Anonymous said...

oh and her film Black Panther from 1968 is also on-line..

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9136137543675766287

lucky BB to have heard her speak...indeed.

nancy

Siru said...

I'm afraid I'm more of a superhero -movie kind a girl.

juliet xxx

Anonymous said...

Love your blog!
Please check out my new one:
http://selfindulgentshop.blogspot.com
xx

Sneaky Magpie said...

Thanks for posting this! This film was on my reserve list on Love Film for ever. Now I cheekily watched it at work.

Claire said...

sneaky magpie - me too! (when I had lovefilm, I ended up cancelling it) I realised that when they let you put films in reserve it usually means they don't have it and never will - they just have a review of it - so annoying...

Laura Soler said...

seems very interesting... I´ll watch it when I get some time ;)I like your blog!