Jacques Demy Retrospective
This late summer, the Lumière Classics programme is largely dedicated to the colourful and enchanting films of Jacques Demy (1931–1990). The French master’s most famous films are returning to the big screen in restored versions.
Jacques Demy was one of the most idiosyncratic filmmakers of the French Nouvelle Vague. While many of his contemporaries opted for raw realism, Demy created a universe entirely of his own, in which music, colour and romance merge. His films combine the lightness of the classic Hollywood musical with moving stories about people who are brought together by chance or, conversely, driven apart. In doing so, he became one of the most recognisable and influential voices in French cinema.
Throughout his career, Demy worked closely with composer Michel Legrand, whose music forms an indispensable part of his films. Together with his wife, filmmaker Agnès Varda, Demy formed one of the most influential creative duos in French cinema. Following his death, Varda worked tirelessly to preserve his body of work. Demy’s films remain beloved for their visual richness, emotional depth and the unique way in which they blend fantasy and reality.
Films in this series:
Wednesday 2 September, 19:30
Peau D'Ane + introduction by Kaat Monsieur
Fairy tales are now mainly seen as stories for children, but that wasn’t always the case. Before the screening of Peau d’Âne, Kaat Monsieur, Programmer of Specials, will give a short introduction to the history of the fairy tale and explore how Peau d’Âne draws on the dark, layered origins of the genre. What can this colourful classic still tell us today?
