synopsis
It is the year 1957. Geneviève is 17, works in her mother’s umbrella shop in Cherbourg, and secretly meets Guy who is a mechanic. He gets mobilized and goes to war to Algeria. When Geneviève discovers she is pregnant, and there is no news from Guy, she accepts a marriage proposal from a diamond seller and leaves Cherbourg. Guy comes back injured, does not find Geneviève, and marries Madelaine. Geneviève and Guy meet again in 1962.

about the director
Jacques Demy (Pontchâteau, 1931 – Paris, 1990) studied photography and film in Paris. At first, he worked as a director’s assistant, and made short films. He was a member of the French New Wave movement. His most successful films are the ones from the beginning of his career, his first film Lola, and his third film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg where he achieved quite a breakthrough into the world of musicals by using sung dialogues.

festivals and awards
The Golden Palm, Cannes, 1964
Five times nominated for Oscar: Best Original Song and Best Film Music
(original and adapted, composers Michel Legrand and Jacques Demy), Best Script and Best Non-English Film
Nominated for Grammy award

director's filmography
1988. Table tournante, La (Turning Table)
1988. Trois places pour le 26 (Three Places for the 26th)
1985. Parking
1982. Une chambre en ville (A Room in Town, 1982)
1980. La Naissance du jour () (TV)
1979. Lady Oscar
1973. L' Événement le plus important depuis que l'homme a marché sur la lune (A Slightly Pregnant Man,)
1972. The Pied Piper ()
1970. Peau d'âne (Once Upon a Time)
1969. Model Shop
1967. Demoiselles de Rochefort, Les (The Young Girls of Rochefort)
1964. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)
1963. La Baie des anges (Bay of Angels)
1961. Lola

about the film
Unlike in American musicals, all the dialogues in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg are sung. Therefore, film theoreticians considered it to be the first authentic film opera. Wonderful music by Michel Legrand as well as the skillful use of color (film takes in clear and bright colors) have, besides the melodramatic plot, contributed to the success of the film with both audience and critics.