'Une Femme Est Une Femme'

‘Une Femme Est Une Femme.’

The storyline of this film is based upon a couple deeply in love with one another, however their relationship is strained by constant bickering over trivial matters, such as how Angela cannot pronounce the letter ‘r’ correctly. Her desire for a baby causes severe tension between the couple and is the underlying reason for all their problems. Arguments between Angela and Emile stretch their relationship to breaking point when her Husband’s best friend, Alfred enters the scene.

‘Angela’, played by Anna Karina, is the star of this film. Her beauty and charisma endears throughout as she seduces the audience and intrigues us through her body language alone. We are instantly attracted to her, both physically and emotionally.

The film itself did not reveal a deep plot. The director, Jean-Luc Godard, was more focussed on the humorous and musical element, as opposed to the storyline itself. However, the film is classed as a romantic comedy, and that it is. “The plot is as unimportant as it can be. In its place moments show up, little but infinitely joyful moments of adults looking like teenagers amused and fascinated by the thought of being in a musical comedy.”  (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055572/). This review notices the comical focus and implies it is more important than the storyline itself, rather than the film ‘lacking substance’. I do not agree.

Throughout the 90 minute film, attempts are made to brighten the mood contrasting with the rowing couple. After Angela found out that her husband Emile was unwilling to father her child the couple turned the lights out to sleep. She said in a very abrupt and absurd way “my fanny is cold”. The audience are faced with a plain black screen and those words alone, creating a very simple, yet successful humorous touch.

Repetition is used throughout the film, as the couple argue in an immature way; they frequently repeated actions to prove a point. For example, explaining their feelings through book titles as they refused to speak to one another and Emile’s insistence on riding his bicycle in circles around the kitchen table. Both of these actions became slightly irritating to watch, however as they were repeated so many times, consequently became amusing.

The music played throughout the film, provided it with a definitive French edge. As well as the opening and closing scene, music was consistently used to set the mood or accompany action. It often had a playful, light spirited impact.
Similar to Suzanne Philipz “low land” sound installation, the music had a profound effect on how the audience felt. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCoMxUkA2aI.) This clip shows the scene of when Angela and her ‘secret lover’ Alfred are at the cafe. As she looks at herself in the mirror and the photograph, she experiences flashbacks with the mellow music playing in the background, amplifying the poignant and powerful moment at hand.
When I walked into Suzanne’s artwork I felt a connection between us as her voice immediately impacted my emotions and similarly, as I entered certain scenes in this film, my mood was directly affected by the music alone.

Anna Karina- The beautiful, endearing actress that she is.
She draws in the audience immediately with her charming presence.

Bibliography:

http://spectrumculture.com/2009/07/revisit-a-woman-is-a-woman-1961.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4gv6YvxC5k