A Woman Is a Woman

A Woman Is a Woman
Theatrical release poster
French Une femme est une femme
Directed by Jean-Luc Godard
Written by Jean-Luc Godard
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Raoul Coutard
Edited by
Music by Michel Legrand
Production
companies
  • Euro International Films
  • Rome Paris Films
Distributed by Unidex
Release dates
  • 1 July 1961 (Berlin)
  • 6 September 1961 (France)
Running time
 85 minutes
Country France
Language French
Budget $160,000 (est.)
Box office 549,931 admissions (France)
$100,665 (US)

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

Awards