Manon 70

Jean Aurel’s 1968 adaptation of the 18^th century French novel and the 19^th century Italian Opera; Serge Gainsbourg provides the music (a character unto its own) for Catherine Deneuve as she undertakes the title role of the gold-digging Manon.

Manon believes it doesn’t matter how many men you have slept with, only how many you have loved. Her virtues are tested to breaking point as a new pursuit by journalist François forces Manon to decide which weighs up more: money or love?

A highly accomplished name in French cinema – former writing partner of both François Truffaut (The Woman Next Door, Love on the Run) and Jacques Becker (Le Trou) – Jean Aurel (Les Femmes), brings together a formidable cast, with French screen greats Sami Frey (Bande à part) and Jean-Claude Brialy (Une Femme est une femme) joining Deneuve in scintillating form, for another intelligent reflection on relationship dynamics, replete with comic touches and Gainsbourg’s wonderfully unique score.