MASCULIN FEMININ 15 faits précis
Jean Luc Godard was never a man of too many words; but upon being asked about the philosophy behind his new film the French director simply shook his head and responded "It is a sociological study." That very fact distinguishes Masculin Femin from Godard's other masterpieces where the main characters like in Breathless are designed to represent unique people in uncommon situations. Masculin Femin, unlike, was meant to embody a much larger trend, the conflict is the sexual revolution, and the characters are suppose to be a representation of the French youth.
The film is told through the eyes of Paul (Jean Pierre Leaud), an inexperienced lover and restless activist, and tells the story of his group of friends and their constant search for self definition. Godard's prime concern when directing this film was the natural tone of the piece and to achieve it he used many means. Most of the actors in the film were unknown; many were real people playing themselves, Chantal Goya the female star of the film was a singer and had never acted before. It is also important to remember that roles for young actors were uncommon at the time. Godard kept many of his actors in the dark; Goya for instance was never given a script and would only be prepped before the scenes. Godard even used earpieces to feed the actors the lines he desired. A lot of it was improvisation.
The photography was the first collaboration between Godard and cinematographer Willy Kurant, Godard's longtime cinematographer Raoul Coutard wasn't available for the project. Kurant shot the film with a new Kodak stock eliminating all the greys for a high contrast black and white image. The cinematography is unorthodox to say the least. It is very simplistic, the camera is rarely on wheels, and the framing is often broken like a Degas painting where it was not rare to see parts of the subject cut off or out of frame. Godard divides his film in 15 precise facts where he explores the essential differences between men and women. It's a study on sexuality and love, is it true that men want sex and women want love? Throughout the narrative many questions are asked and range from topics like birth control to rules of attraction. The film is meant to be casual but at the same time emphatic, the dialogue is part of a wide spectrum that shifts from humorous to serious accordingly. The plot is filled with mini conflicts that come together to form a sociological picture, un-corresponded love, jealousy, insecurity, and the war on Vietnam, all become part of this larger frame.
Godard has always been described as love him or hate him, and Masculin Femin is that type of film. Many can't get past the rough editing and strange cinematography, but those who can, appreciate the film for what it is, the nuance and subtleties, a look, or a phrase, a place or a person. The beauty of this film really comes from delicacy of relationships and the veracity of the plot. Times were changing, interactions were changing, love and sex were changing, and Masculin Feminin offers a beautiful account of this transition. - Thomaz Marcondes
Jean Luc Godard was never a man of too many words; but upon being asked about the philosophy behind his new film the French director simply shook his head and responded "It is a sociological study." That very fact distinguishes Masculin Femin from Godard's other masterpieces where the main characters like in Breathless are designed to represent unique people in uncommon situations. Masculin Femin, unlike, was meant to embody a much larger trend, the conflict is the sexual revolution, and the characters are suppose to be a representation of the French youth.
The film is told through the eyes of Paul (Jean Pierre Leaud), an inexperienced lover and restless activist, and tells the story of his group of friends and their constant search for self definition. Godard's prime concern when directing this film was the natural tone of the piece and to achieve it he used many means. Most of the actors in the film were unknown; many were real people playing themselves, Chantal Goya the female star of the film was a singer and had never acted before. It is also important to remember that roles for young actors were uncommon at the time. Godard kept many of his actors in the dark; Goya for instance was never given a script and would only be prepped before the scenes. Godard even used earpieces to feed the actors the lines he desired. A lot of it was improvisation.
The photography was the first collaboration between Godard and cinematographer Willy Kurant, Godard's longtime cinematographer Raoul Coutard wasn't available for the project. Kurant shot the film with a new Kodak stock eliminating all the greys for a high contrast black and white image. The cinematography is unorthodox to say the least. It is very simplistic, the camera is rarely on wheels, and the framing is often broken like a Degas painting where it was not rare to see parts of the subject cut off or out of frame. Godard divides his film in 15 precise facts where he explores the essential differences between men and women. It's a study on sexuality and love, is it true that men want sex and women want love? Throughout the narrative many questions are asked and range from topics like birth control to rules of attraction. The film is meant to be casual but at the same time emphatic, the dialogue is part of a wide spectrum that shifts from humorous to serious accordingly. The plot is filled with mini conflicts that come together to form a sociological picture, un-corresponded love, jealousy, insecurity, and the war on Vietnam, all become part of this larger frame.
Godard has always been described as love him or hate him, and Masculin Femin is that type of film. Many can't get past the rough editing and strange cinematography, but those who can, appreciate the film for what it is, the nuance and subtleties, a look, or a phrase, a place or a person. The beauty of this film really comes from delicacy of relationships and the veracity of the plot. Times were changing, interactions were changing, love and sex were changing, and Masculin Feminin offers a beautiful account of this transition. - Thomaz Marcondes