The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)

About The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, released in 1964, is a French musical romantic drama film, directed by Jacques Demy. Set in the town of Cherbourg in Northwestern France, the film uses an innovative all-sung dialogue format. The story covers the romance of Geneviève (Catherine Deneuve) and Guy (Nino Castelnuovo), which unfolds amid a backdrop of socioeconomic reality and wartime separation.

Making / Production

Directed and written by Jacques Demy, the film was notable for its bold use of colour and melodramatic plot. Demy teamed up with composer Michel Legrand for the film's memorable score. The movie was produced by Mag Bodard, with cinematography by Jean Rabier.

Actors

• Catherine Deneuve as Geneviève Emery, who portrayed the role of a young woman deeply in love with Guy, her lover.
• Nino Castelnuovo as Guy Foucher, who impressively presented the role, starting off as a young mechanic, then becoming an injured war veteran.
• Anne Vernon as Madame Emery, the concerned mother who played her role with dutiful sincerity.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie was filmed in the French port city of Cherbourg.
• All the dialogue in the film is sung.
• The film inspired the creation of the 2001 musical film called Moulin Rouge.

Awards

The movie won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival. It also received five nominations for Academy Awards including Best Song for "I Will Wait for You", and was awarded "Best Original Score" by the New York Film Critics Circle Awards.

Quotes

• "People only die of love in the movies."
• "It's nice; there is less dust around here!"
• "Life's so simple: a little house, a little sunshine."

Music, Soundtrack

• "I Will Wait for You" - One of the most famous pieces from the film, it has been covered by numerous artists worldwide.
• "Watch What Happens" - Originally composed for the film, it serves as an emblem of the movie's hopeful yet mournful tone.
• "Chanson Des Jumelles" - This song captures the optimistic yet painfully bittersweet themes of the film.