About Cleo From 5 to 7

"Cleo From 5 to 7" is a striking French film directed by Agnes Varda, often associated with the French New Wave despite her distance from the movement. Released in 1962, it innovatively deploys real-time and natural settings to present a tense and emotional two-hour period in the life of a young woman, Cleo, in Paris. She anxiously awaits a pivotal doctor's appointment, which she fears could confirm a diagnosis of cancer.

Plot and Summary

Between 5 and 6:30 p.m., Cleo, a pop singer, navigates through the city. She begins by visiting a tarot-reader then returns to her apartment, where she rehearses a new song, has a brief interaction with a lover, and then visits a friend. She also runs into a soldier who is about to leave for the Algerian War. The significance of these scenes evolves as Cleo grapples with her fear of mortality.

Making / Production

The film's real-time narration challenge required that it be shot completely on location in Paris, which contributes to its realistic touch. Varda's documentary-style filmmaking, combined with the expressive performances, blurs the usual narrative cinema experience and instead presents an intimate psychological portrait.

Actors

• Corinne Marchand as Cléo Victoire: Marchand superbly portrays the internal struggle and transformation of Cléo, a young singer grappling with a possible terminal illness.
• Antoine Bourseiller as Antoine: As the earnest and compassionate soldier, Bourseiller provides a contrasting perspective to Cléo's existential journey.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was almost entirely shot on location in the streets of Paris, giving the film an atmosphere of reality and authenticity.
• The film's real time narrative was unusual for its time and marked a departure from mainstream cinema's temporal conventions.

Music and Soundtrack

• Sans toi, sung by Corinne Marchand, is a melancholic song reflecting Cleo's inner turmoil.
• La joueuse, also performed by Corinne Marchand, highlights Cleo's professional life as a singer.

Quotes

• “As long as I'm beautiful, I'm even more alive than the others.” - Cleo
• “I think all soldiers are in love with death.” - Antoine