Fantastic! Jean-Luc Goard’s perspective of Parisian youth in 1965 and their perspective on politics, love, sex and more. Unique for its time and still wonderful today! Wonderful and natural performances by the main talents and just a youth film that is crafted like no other. Highly recommended!
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TITLE: Masculin F̩minin РTHE CRITERION COLLECTION #308
DURATION: 105 Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Black and White, Monoraul, In French with optional English subtitles, 1:33:1 aspect ratio
COMPANY: The Criterion Collection/Rialto Pictures
RELEASED: 2005
Based on stories “La Femme de Paul” and “Le Signe” by Guy de Maupassant
Written and Directed by Jean-Luc Godard
Produced by Anatole Dauman
Music by Jean-Jacques Debout
Cinematography by Willy Kurant
Edited by Agnes Guillemot, Marguerite Renoir
Starring:
Jean-Pierre Léaud as Paul
Chantal Goya as Madeleine
Marlène Jobert as Elisabeth
Michel Debord as Robert
Catherine-Isabelle Duport as Catherine Isabelle
Brigitte Bardot as herself
Antoine Bourseiller as Bardot’s director
Francoise Hardy as Woman with American officer
Birger Malmsten as Man in the movie
Eva-Britt Strandberg as Woman in the movie
Elsa Leroy as Miss 19
Mickey Baker as Record producer
Med Hondo as Man in the metro
With Masculin féminin, ruthless stylist and iconoclast Jean-Luc Godard introduces the world to “the children of Marx and Coca-Cola,†through a gang of restless youths engaged in hopeless love affairs with music, revolution, and each other. French new wave icon Jean-Pierre Leaud stars as Paul, an idealistic would-be intellectual struggling to forge a relationship with the adorable pop star Madeleine (real-life yé-yé girl Chantal Goya). Through their tempestuous affair, Godard fashions a candid and wildly funny free-form examination of youth culture in throbbing 1960s Paris, mixing satire and tragedy as only Godard can.
It was in 1966 that Nouvelle Vague (French New Wave) director Jean-Luc Godard (“Contempt”, “Breathless”, “Pierrot le fou”) would release his film about youth in the mid-60’s titled “Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis”.
Released after the successful “Pierrot le fou” (1965), “Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis” would become a different film by Godard standards as it would focus on Parisian youth in 1965 but also start to show signs of a different Godard (who separated from Anna Karina, who was a major actress in his films) and also a precursor to his films incorporating his political views. But as for the characters featured in “Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis”, call the young adults that were a sign of the times or as Godard would call them, “the children of Marx and Coca-Cola”.
The film would star French New Wave icon Jean-Pierre Léaud, best known for the Antoine Doinel films by Francois Truffaut and specifically known as the troublesome main character of the classic film “The 400 Blows”. Léaud plays the character Paul, a romantic idealist who is a Marxist, loves classical music, an aspiring writer who has fallen for emerging pop star Madeleine (played by singer/actress Chantal Goya).
“Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis” showcases the masculine side as Paul and his friend Robert (played by Michel Debord) are interested in politics. Both young men talk about their role in society, the revolution and ideals and although mischievous, these two young men are guys who want to hook up with young ladies. And as for Paul, he can’t help but be interested and curious about Madeleine, a young woman who is the total opposite of himself.
Madeleine, along with her friends are interested in fashion, pop music, pop culture and discussion of sex. They are not as serious as Paul nor do they consider the importance of what is happening politically in their country or other countries a factor in their current lives. They simply don’t care.  And yet Madeleine has nothing in common to Paul but the two are attracted to each other.
Madeleine’s best friend Elizabeth is outgoing and constantly warns Paul that its best to find a girl because they are not the kind of girls that are for him. But yet Paul disagrees and wants to spend his whole life with Madeleine. Meanwhile, as for Elizabeth, the film teases the viewer as perhaps she and Madeleine may have some attraction towards each other. As we see scenes of Elizabeth gently caressing Madeleine’s hair or face, in which Madeleine doesn’t seem to mind.  As for their other friend, Catherine-Isabelle, she is quite different from the two. She does love the pop culture and having fun, but similar to Paul, she can appreciate his love for prose and his passion towards classical music, that you feel she is most perfect for him but Paul doesn’t think of her in that manner.
So, in terms of relationships – Paul likes Madeleine. Elizabeth likes Madeleine. Richard likes Madeline’s style but since Paul is going for Madeleine, Richard goes for Catherine-Isabelle, who happens to have an interest in Paul. Relationships that can easily sound confusing but in truth, the film is not about the conflicts of relationships, its about the lives of young adults trying to find themselves in the world.
Paul who feels that after he served the military, he sees a side of Madeleine and her friends that he possibly wants to change or accepts because she is her own person. While Madeleine, has this attraction towards Paul and not sure if its out of curiosity or that that she is lonely. But for all five individuals, they are not living for the future, they are living for the now and what happens…happens.
“Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis”is episodic as it tries to showcase various acts from showcasing moments of discussions about their youth, their love or attraction for each other, discussions of sex and birth control, the politics especially the view towards American involvement in the Vietnam War and also how France was starting to incorporate American style which can be disruptive to those who subscribe to a socialist or communist belief.
But its what makes the film so unique. There are many enjoyable moments but the film is disrupted by certain moments. Telling the audience to not get comfortable because this film is not going to be your average film. This is not a film where from beginning to end, you are going to watch a relationship or relationships blossom. This is not that type of film.  This is a film about Parisian youths and what goes on their minds. Your children of Marx and Coca-Cola. Which side to they belong to?
“Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis” was scrutinized and lambasted by critics during its release in 1966, many of those critics who have revisited the film have taken back what they originally have said and now realize how it is one of Godard’s best films and some have considered it a masterpiece that was ahead of its time.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Masculin féminin” is featured in black and white and presented in 1:33:1. Cinematographer Willy Kurant supervised the new high-definition digital transfer which was created on a Spirit Datacine from the 35mm grain master. Also, thousands of instances of dirt, debris and scratches were removed from the MTI Digital Restoration Ssytem.
As for the audio, the French monoraul soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from the optical soundtrack master and audio restoration tools were used the Criterion to remove clicks, pops, hiss and crackle.  The film is Dolby Digital 1.0 and center channel driven but for those who own modern home theater surround sound receivers, one can easily switch the audio via audio on all channels or stereo, to their own preference. Also, included is a selection for the the optional isolated music track.
Subtitles are in English.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Masculin féminin” comes with the following special features:
- Chantal Goya (1966) - (4:50) An excerpt of an interview filmed for the TV show “Au-Dela De L’Ecran”, Goya talks about being a pop star and working on “Masculin féminin“.
- Chantal Goya (2005) – (15:07) Interview with Chantal Goya in 2005 as she talks about her experience working with Jean-Luc Godard and on “Masculin féminin“.
- Willy Kurant – (11:59) 2005 Interview (in English) with “Masculin féminin“cinematographer about his career and working with Godard.
- Jean-Pierre Gorin – (15:36) A 2005 interview (in English) in which Godard’s Dziga-Vertov Group business partner talks about the historical and experimentation of “Masculin féminin“.
- Freddy Buache and Dominique Paini – (24:56) In 2004, Freddy Buache (film critic and founder of Cinematheque Suisse) and Dominque Paini (Director of Cultural Development for the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris) talk about the importance of “Masculin féminin” and how Buache criticized it when it was first released but now considers it an important Godard film.
- Godard on Swedish Television – (4:07) With “Masculin féminin” being a co-production between Godard’s Anouchka Films and the Swedish Production Firm Sandrews Films, a Swedish television crew were there to interview the director who was filming the “movie” scene.
- Original Theatrical Trailer – (2:01) The original theatrical trailer.
- Rialto Pictures Rerelease Trailer – (1:53) Remastered Rialto Pictures trailer.
- Essay Booklet – 14-page booklet featuring an essay “The Young Man for All Times” by Adrian Martin (film critic for the Melbourne Age) and “On the Set of Masculin Feminin” (an excerpt from the article “One Evening, In a Small Cafe” by Phillipe Labro.
“Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis” is quite a unique film, so unique that it was a film which I absolutely enjoyed. It’s not a film that one can come and watch and say, I enjoy “Breathless” or “Pierrot le fou”, I will love “Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis”. Nor is it a film in today’s modern world where you can think that if you enjoyed young adult films such as “Dazed and Confused” or “Metropolis” that you will enjoy “Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis” because the structure of the film is so different.  There are way too many disruptions for the film’s pacing and odd situations that either one can appreciate them or simply dislike them. Especially when you reach the ending.
I absolutely loved the improvisation and also the long use of dialogue between characters. I have said that I enjoyed Eric Rohmer’s “My Night at Maud’s” for effectively making long dialogue scenes so enjoyable but yet intelligent. If one can capitalize on moments in a film where communication is done effectively. And since the film was created with a low budget,Godard made great use of dialogue. In fact, because Godard didn’t use a script, he had earpieces in which the talent were filmed answering questions that the director would ask them. He would effectively use the talent, tell them what to say on the earpiece and try to get an improvised but yet natural answer in which topics would bring out that awkwardness.
For example, a scene where Paul interviews “Miss 19″, an actual beauty cover girl for a magazine that is being asked questions, even personal questions about sexuality, her past loves and political views. Her answers were not of an actress but her genuine answers. You can sense that uncomfort in her answers but that’s what Godard wanted for this film. True feelings by people who represent that young generation in Paris.
As for the DVD, The Criterion Collection has done a magnificent job in restoring this film, supervised by cinematographer Willy Kurant. A good number of special features that are interesting, informative and enjoyable. It was great to hear from Chantal Goya sharing some of the Godard behind-the-scenes direction with the viewer. How the discussion about Madeleine’s music career was actually a dialogue about her own music career but Godard using it on the film. And of course, Jean-Pierre Léaud is just a talented actor that both Francois Truffaut and Godard knew how to utilize in their films (despite Truffaut being a bit critical on how Godard handled him for this film). We sense a young man who is trying to make sense of his life. Has a set perspective yet being with a woman who is nothing like him nor does she want to be like him.
Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis” is a film that is definitely not a perfect film. In fact, because there are quite a few disruptions and the pacing is quite frantic at times, some people may see it as a film that is too artsy for its own good. As mentioned earlier, critics really blasted Godard for this film when it was first released. But the fact was, it was a film ahead of its time and what we have is a time capsule of youth, Paris during the mid-60’s that now, many people who lived during that time, can watch this film and say, “this film was a masterpiece”.
Overall, “Masculin féminin: 15 faits précis” is a film that is not only worth of being included in the Criterion Collection but also a Godard film worth owning. Highly recommended!