The delightfully light-hearted Les Demoiselles de Rochefort is Jacques Demy's large-scale tribute to the Hollywood musical. The story unfolds over the course of a weekend and centres on twin sisters Delphine and Solange (played by real life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac) who, tired of their humdrum existence, dream of finding success and romance in Paris. Little do they know that their ideal partner may be just around the corner. The superb ensemble featuring such screen legends as Gene Kelly, Danielle Darrieux, Michal Piccoli, Jacques Perrin, George Chakiris and Grover Dale weave and wander around the town, looking for and just missing the loves of their lives. Will the happy pairs of lovers be united or cruel fate keep them apart?
With a plot of pure Shakespearean farce, witty dialogue and lyrics by Demy, and a magnificent jazz score by three-time Academy Award® winner Michel Legrand, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort is an effervescent celebration of life that is sure to captivate and uplift.
Special features
- Newly commissioned feature commentary by David Jenkins
- A Melody Composed by Chance... (2019, 19 mins): audiovisual essay by Geoff Andrew
- Les Demoiselles ont eu 25 ans (1993, 67 mins): Agnès Varda documentary celebration of Demy and his film
- The Guardian Interview: Catherine Deneuve (2005, 7 mins): excerpts of the actress in conversation at the NFT
- The Guardian Interview: Jacques Demy (1982, audio, 76 mins): the director interviewed on stage following a screening of Une Chambre en ville
- The Guardian Interview: Michel Legrand (1991, audio, 71 mins): the great composer discusses is career, recorded at the NFT
- The Guardian Lecture: Gene Kelly (1980, audio only, 76 mins): the song-and-dance legend recorded on stage at the NFT discussing his career