Cleo from 5 to 7 is a French classic, new wave film that was released in 1962. The film was made by French director Agnès Varda and is about the life of a gorgeous, allegedly terminally ill woman named, Cleo.
Born May 30, 1928, in Ixelles, Belgium, Agnès Varda is a photographer turned director, who has spent most of her life working in France. Her portfolio of films, photography, and art installations documents the issues of feminism, realism, and social commentary, with a distinctive and experimental flair. Film historians have noted her contributions to the film industry as central to the role in the development of the French New Wave.
Varda is skilled at location shooting and using non-professional actors in her films. It was considered unconventional in 1950s cinema. She is noted as being an exemplary woman who challenged the rules of classic filmmaking. Her mastery of mixing time, space, color, and genre, to evolve her films into a creative sequence, was ahead of its time. Cleo from 5 to 7 is a clear indication of this mastery. It was nominated for the Palme d’Or for the 1962 Cannes Film Festival. For the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics, Varda received the Critics Award for Best Film.
Cleo from 5 to 7 is a fictional story told in the first-person narrative. Art imitates life at its finest. Many viewers can resonate with Cleo (Corinne Marchand), a woman seeking validation for her gender and music. She’s a rising sing who must deal with the stereotypical roles placed on women. As Cleo wanders aimlessly in meditative thought through the streets of Paris, while waiting for a test that could shatter her world, she experiences life for the first time. During her wandering, she meets an alleged psychic and inquires about her future. Unsatisfied with the answers, Cleo returns to the Parisian streets hoping to find the answers she desperately seeks. The more Cleo wanders, the more she evolves. We get to see a natural progression of changing views on life and what it means to be happy.
The film is not only enjoyable and unique, but it’s also a philosophical exploration of coming to terms with mortality and what it means to live your life. As Cleo continues to wander, she speaks with friends and strangers to discern the meaning of life. It’s apparently a sad attempt at seeking validation. Cleo must define her reason for existing when she discovers she may die young. Cleo from 5 to 7 is amazing for showcasing the superstitions of society during 1960s France. The film should be noted for its storytelling of several themes of existentialism, such as its thoughts on mortality, ideas of despair, and how leading a meaningful life is important. Cleo’s main complaint is that no one takes her seriously because she is a woman. However, she’s forced to feed the stereotypes of women and its stereotypical views and ideology. Fortunately, Varda made sure Cleo evolves as the movie progresses. You live vicariously through Cleo. You see what she sees; you feel what she feels.
Cleo from 5 to 7 is a brilliant work of cine-liberation that ranks among the French New Wave’s most audacious achievements. I thoroughly enjoyed the psychology of this film and its accurate portrayal of fear over a cancer diagnosis. When you fear death is close, you become aware of people in a new light. It begs the questions why we can’t make these discoveries without the aid of fear? Cleo from 5 to 7 has a jaunty boldness of style and sensibility. I love how it subtly develops emotions over time. It makes Cleo’s development a natural progression. It is unknown whether Varda intentionally used this method to capture and hold the viewer’s attention. Whatever the intention could have been it was highly successful! Over five decades have passed since Cleo from 5 to 7 premiered. The film is still heralded as a masterpiece of filmmaking. It’s one of DVD Netflix’s highest-rated classics in its library of films. This is confirmed by the countless number of amazing reviews of the film by its subscribers. I was fortunate enough to have been previously exposed to the film to write this piece. If you plan on adding it to your queue, as you should, prepare for a long wait but it’s worth it!
The appreciation for Cleo from 5 to 7 has increased with the passage of time, with movie-lovers discovering and watching the film for the first time. It is a progressive film that challenged and broke barriers during its time. Although some may not appreciate its feminist message, I still encourage you to watch the film. It seeks to educate viewers, particularly women, on understanding and acknowledging that they are relevant. They should be happy and love who they are and do whatever brings them joy. Cleo from 5 to 7 is an exceptional film that I highly recommend.
Official Trailer for Cleo from 5 to 7
[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://youtu.be/PasXZOvJ0B8″]
You can watch these films with your family over a huge bowl of popcorn. Rent them from DVD Netflix via dvd.netflix.com. Add them to your queue today. If you don’t have an account, you can sign-up for a free month. If you decide to keep the membership, pay as little as $7.99 per month to enjoy DVD Netflix’s massive database of blockbusters, documentaries, independent films, and more.
Disclaimer: As a DVD Nation Director, for introducing the DVD Netflix service to you, as well as writing about some awesome movies to rent that can be challenging to find anywhere else, I’m rewarded and always happy to share awesome movies with you. #dvd20 #dvdnation #ad
About Author
