29 April – 10 May

His personalised reworking of prized Hollywood conventions made Jacques Demy (1931-1990) a unique auteur amongst his peers. Demy’s films are mostly tender, capricious stories of love found, lost, and then fleetingly regained, that are told with an exhilarating command of film rhythm matched with an outrageous decorative elegance and a strong sense of nostalgia. This special season of imported 35mm prints is courtesy of the Ministère des affaires étrangères.

THE UMBERELLA OF CHERBOURG || BAY OF ANGELS || THE YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT || LOLA

Dir: Jacques Demy
France 1964 91mins 35mm
Young, beautiful Geneviève, manages an umbrella store with her mother in the seaside town of Cherbourg. Pregnant to her boyfriend Guy who is conscripted to fight in the Algerian War, Geneviève copes with her abandonment by marrying a loving, wealthy jeweller. Upon returning the injured Guy copes by drinking until he discovers his own secret admirer. The dialogue to this romantic tale of hope amidst despair is entirely sung as recitative. Stars Marc Michel and Catherine Deneuve. Print courtesy of the Ministère des affaires étrangères.

Winner 1964 Golden Palm Cannes Film Festival
Listed in 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die

Brews & Reviews proudly sponsored by Barossa Valley Brewing.

Dir: Jacques Demy
France 1964 90mins 35mm
Jean Fournier, a young bank employee lured into the world of gambling, meets divorcee Jackie with whom he shares his newfound passion for games of chance. Demy’s second film is a stunningly mature observation of co-dependency and addiction, shot through with film noir fatalism and hauntingly bleak honesty. Stars Claude Mann and Jeanne Moreau. Print courtesy of the Ministère des affaires étrangères.

Dir: Jacques Demy
France 1967 125mins 35mm
Twin sisters Delphine and Solange both long for true love and a life beyond their native Rochefort. With a fair coming to town it’s a weekend for matchmaking, yearning and lashes of song and dance. Throw Gene Kelly into the mix and this romantic picture postcard has style and humour to spare. Stars real life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac. Print courtesy of the Ministère des affaires étrangères.

Listed in 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die

Dir: Jacques Demy
France 1961 90mins 35mm
Demy’s debut, which he described as a “musical without music”, lays out the scheme with which he would become synonymous. Unrequited love, (un)crossed paths, mirrored identities and missed opportunities abound. Roland Cassard, who would appear three years later in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, pines for a cabaret singer Lola, who herself pines for a former lover. Roland tries to make something of his life and win his woman against all odds. Stars Marc Michel and Anouk Aimée. Print courtesy of the Ministère des affaires étrangères.

Listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die