A Woman Is a Woman


A Woman Is a Woman is a 1961 Franco-Italian experimental musical romantic comedy film written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard, and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anna Karina and Jean-Claude Brialy. A tribute to the American musical comedy and associated with the French New Wave, it is Godard's third feature film, and his first in color and Cinemascope.

Plot

The film centers on the relationship of exotic dancer Angéla and her lover Émile. Angéla wants to have a child, but Émile is not ready. Émile's best friend Alfred also says he loves Angéla, and keeps up a gentle pursuit. Angéla and Émile bitterly argue about having a child; at one point they decide not to speak to each other, so continue their argument by pulling books from the shelf and pointing to the titles. Since Émile stubbornly refuses her request for a child, Angéla finally decides to accept Alfred's plea and sleeps with him. This proves that she will do what she must to have a child. She and Émile finally reconcile, so he has a chance to become the father. The two have sex, then engage in a bit of wordplay that gives the film its title: an exasperated Émile says "Angéla, tu es infâme", and she retorts, "Non, je suis une femme".

Cast

Awards