The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Jacques Demy’s all-sung tale of first love is a ravishing mix of music, romance and cinematic invention.

Radiantly beautiful young lovers Geneviève (Catherine Deneuve in the role that made her a star) and Guy (Nino Castelnuovo) plan a lifetime of happiness together. But her mother has other plans, and there’s a war in Algeria…

Armed with the beautiful melodies of Michel Legrand, a paintbox of candy colours and a style reminiscent of the golden age of MGM musicals, Demy created an enchanting, bittersweet contemporary tale that was uniquely his own. Few filmmakers have captured everyday realities with such tenderness, magic or imagination. And the film’s snowy, Christmas-set finale couldn’t feel more perfectly judged.

France 1964. Director Jacques Demy. With Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel. 93 mins. PG

This is one of 6 films showing at BAC as part of Too Much: Melodrama on Film, a season organised by the BFI and the Film Audience Network. The season will be screening at cinemas across the UK during autumn 2025.

Tickets from £5. 10% off for BAC Supporters

Special offer
Buy tickets for 5 or more films and receive a 25% discount.
All tickets will need to be purchased at the same time. This offer only applies to full priced tickets in the Sep-Dec 2025 programme and cannot be used in conjunction with other offers (eg BAC Supporters’ discount). Offer excludes Metropolis and Met Opera broadcasts.

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