Film - LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)

Off the Wall Films presents

LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)

Jacques Demy, France, 1964, 91m, PG, sub-titles

NB - Doors at 5:30pm for a 6:30pm start. The programme will end around 9:00pm. Pre-screening supper, available to pre-order only, served in the Waterside 5:30 - 6:15pm. To order supper simply buy a meal ticket as listed above (nb - supper bookings will close at 12:00 midnight on the Saturday before the screening).

The rainy northern port of Cherbourg is transformed into a candy-coloured manifestation of first love in this exhilarating Cannes Palme d’Or-winning treat, which made a star of 19-yr-old Catharine Deneuve and in which every word of dialogue is set to music by Michel Legrand. Guy, a car mechanic, is boundlessly in love with Geneviève, daughter of umbrella shop owner Madame Emery. While the young lovers profess their endless devotion and plan to marry, Madame disapproves because Guy has not yet been ‘matured’ by military duty. When his call-up for service in the Algerian War arrives, their bond is threatened – “Don’t leave me!” she imploringly sings, but leave he must. Meanwhile, rich gem dealer Roland has an eye on Geneviève.

The euphoric, sentimental veneer which characterises first love does nothing to conceal much darker realities in Demy’s unforgettable masterpiece. Some might see the film as a tragedy, but it’s so much more than that, and the bittersweet ending is as moving as the exuberance is dizzying. This unique film will look and sound stupendous on our big screen – why not indulge in a dose of unashamed romanticism as the nights draw in? “As great as movies get” – TheMovieReport.com

Presented in partnership with the Bath-Aix Twinning Association.

“A glorious romantic confection unlike any other in movie history” – Washington Post.

“A New Wave masterpiece... coursing with at first the unruly passion of young love and then the measured, mannered wiseness of adolescence's surrender to adulthood” – Entertainment Today.

“Demy sends his two lovers soaring before bringing them back to earth, and the effect is at once wise, rapturous, and heartrending. It's pure perfection” – From the Front Row.

“Enchanting from first frame to last, Jacques Demy's innovative, Oscar-nominated musical, which stars Catherine Deneuve, celebrates everyday life in song - all the dialogue is delivered through music” – EmanuelLevy.com

“A truly unique and wonderful film from a director who stands apart in the French cinema canon” – Film4.

“Catherine Deneuve won the Best Actress prize at Cannes, but the vocal performances of the entire ensemble are impeccable. Pure cinematic magic” – Kim Newman, Empire Magazine.

“Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand's reinvention of the movie musical has tinsel, Technicolor, and a beating, broken heart” – Slant Magazine.

“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg has stood the test of time as beautifully as Deneuve and seems likely to enchant future generations as fully as it has audiences over the past four decades” – Los Angeles Times.

Voluntary donations - Off the Wall Films is a not-for-profit enterprise. All donations - very gratefully received - will go towards improving the OtWF programme and the presentation of films at WSC.

Carers' tickets - we offer complimentary tickets to carers of people with disabilities. If you would like to attend the screening along with the person in your care please message  offthewall@gmx.co.uk  with your request for a ticket. Please note - you are eligible for this offer only if you are accompanied by a paying person with disabilities.