Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (Blu-ray)

Following on from the success of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg comes Les Demoiselles de Rochefort – Jacques Demy’s large-scale tribute to the Hollywood musical featuring screen legend Gene Kelly. The story centres on twin sisters Delphine and Solange (played by real-life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Francoise Dorléac) who, tired of their humdrum existence, dream of finding success and romance in Paris. The superb ensemble, also featuring Danielle Darrieux, Michel Piccoli, Jacques Perrin, George Chakiris and Grover Dale, weave and wander around the town, looking for and just missing the love of their lives.

With a plot of pure Shakespearean farce, witty dialogue and lyrics by Demy, and a magnificent jazz score by the late, great Michel Legrand, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort is an effervescent celebration of life that is sure to captivate and uplift.

Released as part of the BFI’s blockbuster season Musicals! The Greatest Show on Film which runs October to December 2019.

• Newly commissioned feature commentary by David Jenkins
• A Melody Composed by Chance… (2019, 19 mins): audiovisual essay by Geoff Andrew
• Les Demoiselles ont eu 25 ans (1993, 67 mins): Agnès Varda’s documentary celebration of Demy and his film
• The Guardian Interview: Catherine Deneuve (2005, 7 mins): excerpts of the actress in conversation at the NFT
• The Guardian Interview: Jacques Demy (1982, audio, 76 mins): the director interviewed on stage following a screening of Une Chambre en ville
• The Guardian Interview: Michel Legrand (1991, audio, 71 mins): the great composer discusses his career, recorded at the NFT
• The Guardian Lecture: Gene Kelly (1980, audio, 76 mins): the song-and-dance legend recorded on stage at the NFT discussing his career
• **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Fully illustrated booklet with an essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum, new writing by Selina Robertson and Nicolas Pillai, a biography of Jacques Demy by Jason Wood and full film credits.