A Woman Is a Woman

A Woman Is a Woman (French: Une femme est une femme) is a 1961 French musical romantic comedy film written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anna Karina and Jean-Claude Brialy.

It is a tribute to American musical comedy and associated with the French New Wave. It is Godard's third feature film (the release of his second, Le petit soldat, was delayed by censorship), and his first in color and Cinemascope.

Plot

The film centers on the relationship of exotic dancer Angéla and her lover Émile. Angéla wants to have a child, but Émile is not ready. Émile's best friend Alfred also says he loves Angéla, and keeps up a gentle pursuit. Angéla and Émile argue about the matter; at one point they decide not to speak to each other, so continue their argument by pulling books from the shelf and pointing to the titles. Since Émile stubbornly refuses her request for a child, Angéla finally decides to accept Alfred's plea and sleeps with him. This proves that she will do what she must to have a child. She and Émile finally reconcile, so he has a chance to become the father. The two have sex, then engage in a bit of wordplay that gives the film its title: an exasperated Émile says "Angéla, tu es infâme" ("Angela, you are horrid"), and she retorts, "Non, je suis une femme" ("No, I am a woman").

Cast

• Anna Karina as Angela
• Jean-Claude Brialy as Émile Récamier
• Jean-Paul Belmondo as Alfred Lubitsch
• Henri Attal as false blind man #2 (uncredited)
• Karyn Balm as (uncredited)
• Dorothée Blank as prostitute 3 (uncredited)
• Marie Dubois as Angela's friend (uncredited)
• Ernest Menzer as bar owner (uncredited)
• Jeanne Moreau as woman in bar (herself)
• Nicole Paquin as Suzanne (uncredited)
• Gisèle Sandré as prostitute 2 (uncredited)
• Marion Sarraut as prostitute 1 (uncredited)
• Dominique Zardi as false blind man #1 (uncredited)

Awards

• 11th Berlin International Film Festival
  • Silver Bear for Best Actress (Karina - won)
  • Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize (won)
  • Golden Bear (nominated)