A Nos Amours: Chantal Akerman 15: Nuit et Jour

This screening is introduced by the critic Olaf Möller.

Julie (Londez) and Jack (Langmann) are a provincial couple in love who have only just moved to Paris. Home is a small flat, but just the nest for young lovers. By day they make love, while by night Jack drives a taxi, and Julie walks the summer streets, singing happily to herself. They meet Joseph (Negret), another newcomer to the city, driver of Jack's cab by the day. Julie falls for Joseph. Julie now has lovers round the clock. Julie resists making a choice. Why should she? She can even happily, dreamily make do without sleep. Is night better than day, or vice versa?

Picking up on the insomnia and nocturnals of Toute une nuit and Les rendez-vous d'Anna, but finding a new ease, and musical cadence to the marking of time and gesture that seems quite composed and song-like. Perhaps the Akerman is channeling the mysterious and other-worldly patterns of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dancing in the dark in Central Park (thinking of course of the Band Wagon of 1953). In any case, this is a remarkable, ravishing film, full of brilliance.