FILM
Film Focus: Unfamiliar Femininity “I’m not interested in seeing a film just made by a woman - not unless she is looking for new images.” - Agnès Varda.
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uropean cinema has given us a treasure trove of exceptional female directors who have left an indelible mark on the world of film. With their unique perspectives and groundbreaking approaches, they’ve not only shaped cinema but also explored the ever-evolving theme of feminism. Here, we’ll take a dive into the lives and works of three trailblazing directors and recommend some of their must-watch films. Agnès Varda Agnès Varda, was born on May 30, 1928, in Brussels, Belgium, is often affectionately referred to as the “Mother of the French New Wave.” The French New Wave was a period of cinema (1958-1962) characterised by its experimental style of filmmaking, ditching the conventional norms. Over Varda’s extensive career, she created a diverse body of work that blended documentary and narrative styles exploring the human experience. Varda moved to Paris in the 1950s at the beginning of the La Nouvelle Vague movement and became involved in filmmaking. Not solely a director but a visual artist too, she brought a creative versatility to her work. In 2017, Varda received an honorary Academy Award for her lifetime achievements in filmmaking. This made her the first ever female to receive the award; not to mention at eighty-eight years, she was the oldest
person to ever be nominated at the Oscars for her documentary Faces Places (2017). Varda passed away from cancer in 2019 at the age of ninety, but the cinematic influence of the mother of French New Wave lives on. What to watch: Cleo from 5 to 7. (1962) Varda’s 1962 French cinematic masterpiece Cleo from 5 to 7, not only enchants audiences with its unconventional narrative structure but also delves deep into the intricate realms of feminism. This evocative film revolves around the protagonist, Cleo, a glamorous singer who grapples with the impending uncertainty of her mortality as she anxiously awaits the results of medical tests. This looming anxiety serves as the catalyst for a profound and introspective transformation within Cleo, forcing her to confront her role as a young woman in society. In one memorable scene, Cleo, reeling from a discouraging encounter with a fortune teller, clings to her beauty as a lifeline, muttering to herself, “As long as I’m beautiful, I’m even more alive than others.” In the society she inhabits, Cleo’s assertion holds true. Her life, prior to this revelation, thrived on the currency of her youth and beauty. It’s a world that places a premium on feminine desirability above all else, and Cleo is the embodiment of this
societal performance. She luxuriates in opulence, draping herself in tulle nightgowns and languishing upon her sumptuous four-poster bed. However, the social wealth she amasses exacts a toll on her personal happiness, as the relentless performance of femininity proves emotionally draining. As the narrative unfolds, the film meticulously traces Cleo’s journey of self-discovery and inner awakening. She grapples with her identity as a woman in a patriarchal world and with existential questions that transcend her individual existence. Despite the objectification and commodification imposed upon her by the men in her life, Cleo finds empowerment through her interactions with women. It’s in these conversations that she uncovers the importance of solidarity among women and the complexities of feminine self-discovery. Cleo from 5 to 7 masterfully underscores the weight of gender performance, highlighting the significance of solidarity among women in the face of societal pressures, and illuminating the path toward feminine self-realisation. In this cinematic gem, Agnes Varda not only tells a compelling story but also sparks a thought-provoking exploration of feminism that continues to resonate with audiences to this day.
