Cleo from 5 to 7

Cleo from 5 to 7 is an iconic French New Wave film directed by the innovative director Agnès Varda in 1962. This distinctive and stylistically noteworthy movie, shot mostly on location in the streets of Paris, remains one of the most critically admired works in the French cinema.

The compelling drama illuminates two hours in the life of a beautiful pop singer, Cleo, portrayed by Corinne Marchand. The movie is indeed an empathetic and fascinating portrait of a woman, showcasing her internal struggles, contemplation of mortality, and ultimately, her pursuit of liberation. It revolves around the real-time passage of the titular two hours, from 5 to 7 p.m, on June 21st.

The movie begins with Cleo visiting a fortune teller, where she learns of a death omen in her tarot card reading. Nervously awaiting the biopsy results for her potential illness, the character of Cleo is sketched as a sufferer of fear and apprehension. Varda's impeccable storytelling prowess can be seen as she allows the audience to peek into Cleo's life, her profession, and her relationships.

Corinne Marchand's portrayal of Cleo is indeed compelling. In the beginning, we see her as a somewhat superstitious woman, entirely consumed by her worries of an uncertain future. However, as the narrative progresses, the audience witnesses a significant character arc, emphasizing a woman's freedom and her revolting spirit against a male-dominated society. More than a display of Cleo's anxieties, Varda humanizes her by showing her essential, everyday life, including her rehearsals, shopping trips, and interactions with friends.

The secondary characters, Antoine Bourseiller playing the role of a soldier and Dominique Davray as Cleo’s maid, further enrich the narrative. Bourseiller's calm demeanor is in stark contrast to Cleo’s initial tension, and he provides a turning point in Cleo’s emotional journey in the story. Their conversations lay the foundation for many philosophical musings about life, death, and fear, which is typical of the French New Wave genre.

A remarkable feature of Cleo from 5 to 7 is its unique cinematographic approach. The film dares to break away from the traditional storytelling format. Varda fashions Cleo's world in a semi-documentary style, capturing a uniquely feminine perspective rarely seen in cinema during the era. Not only does it preserve the essence of realism, but it also enhances the storytelling tenfold by utilizing bold experiments, such as attaching the camera to a moving vehicle or shooting in bustling Parisian streets, cafes, and parks.

The experimental narrative seamlessly transitions between sequences, utilizing the diegetic music performed by Cleo or heard in various environments. Varda brings her background as a still photographer to the film, presenting a series of stunning black and white compositions that serve as a visual journey through early 1960s Paris.

The real-time experience of Cleo from 5 to 7 stands as a cinematic commentary on the passage of time. Through a series of tracking shots, long takes, and the occasional timestamp, Varda provides her audience with a sense of urgency and a comprehension of Cleo's growing anxiety. The audience is encouraged to live the events in synchrony with Cleo, facilitating an environment of immediate emotional connection and empathetic understanding.

In a nutshell, Cleo from 5 to 7 is not merely a psychological portrait of a woman in crisis but serves as a cinematic embodiment of real-time and critical exploration of existential crisis, mortality, and the essence of human life. It land-marks Agnès Varda's definitive role as a trendsetter of French New Wave cinema and female cinema narratives, and it remains an essential work in the history of film.