The Young Girls Of Rochefort -1967- Criterion -... ((full)) Site

If The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) was Jacques Demy’s tragic opera in candy-colored pastels, then The Young Girls of Rochefort (Les Demoiselles de Rochefort) is his euphoric American musical dropped into the heart of provincial France. Released in 1967 and now preserved in stunning high-definition by the Criterion Collection, this film is a dazzling celebration of chance, coincidence, and the unstoppable rhythm of life.

The plot is deceptively simple: Twin sisters Delphine (Catherine Deneuve) and Solange (Françoise Dorléac, Deneuve’s real-life sister) dream of leaving their provincial lives for the glittering promise of Paris. Delphine seeks romantic love; Solange seeks musical fame. Meanwhile, a murder is being investigated (yes, really), a sailor is looking for his long-lost love, and a traveling fair arrives. The plot is a merry-go-round of missed connections and serendipity.

The Criterion Collection has worked tirelessly to restore to its former glory. The film has been meticulously restored from the original camera negative, ensuring that its vibrant colors and textures are preserved for modern audiences. The 2K digital transfer offers a level of clarity and detail that brings the film's charming settings and memorable performances to life.

: Part two of a 1966 six-part Belgian television series about the film's production. It includes rare footage of rehearsals, set construction, and production designer Bernard Evein discussing his vibrant pastel aesthetics. Archival Interview (1966) The Young Girls of Rochefort -1967- Criterion -...

. A colorful homage to Hollywood’s Golden Age, the film stars real-life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac as twins seeking love and adventure in their seaside town. Amazon.com Availability and Features

The inclusion of American dance icons George Chakiris ( West Side Story ) and the legendary Gene Kelly provides a direct link to the golden age of MGM musicals. Kelly, who choreographed his own brief but dazzling numbers, brings his trademark muscular elegance to the screen, serving as Demy’s ultimate homage to films like An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain . Tragic Real-World Context

The sisters’ mother, Yvonne (Danielle Darrieux), runs a central glass-walled cafe and harbors her own regrets about a past love, Simon Dame (Michel Piccoli), who has conveniently returned to town to open a music shop. Adding to the international flair is Andy Miller (Gene Kelly), an American concert pianist visiting an old friend, who falls instantly for Solange after a chance encounter on the street. If The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) was Jacques

In a nod to the MGM musicals that inspired him, Demy cast the Singin' in the Rain star as Andy Miller, an American pianist who falls for Solange.

Jacques Demy Starring: Françoise Dorléac, Catherine Deneuve, Gene Kelly, Michel Piccoli, and George Chakiris. Available on: The Criterion Collection

In the pantheon of movie musicals, there are the stone-cold classics of the Golden Age ( Singin’ in the Rain ), the gritty rock operas of the 1970s ( Tommy ), and then—suspended in a bubble of pure, phosphorescent joy—there is Jacques Demy’s ( Les Demoiselles de Rochefort ). Delphine seeks romantic love; Solange seeks musical fame

features a variety of supplemental materials and technical upgrades. Special Edition Features

(1967) describes the film as an "effervescent confection" and a sparkling homage to the golden age of .

The real-life sisters play Delphine and Solange Garnier, twin sisters teaching music and dance in Rochefort. Sadly, this was Dorléac's final film before her tragic death shortly after its release.

The digital transfer breathes new life into Ghislain Cloquet’s widescreen cinemascope cinematography. The pastel pinks, stark whites, and nautical blues pop with a crispness that matches Demy's original theatrical vision. The uncompressed monaural audio track ensures that Legrand’s complex jazz arrangements sound robust and perfectly balanced against the vocals. Crucial Supplemental Material

Real-life sisters, their chemistry is palpable, making the bond between Delphine and Solange feel organic. Tragically, Dorléac died shortly after the film's completion, adding a poignant layer to the film's legacy.