FILM GUIDE

“A woman has to be
intelligent, have charm,
a sense of humor, and be
kind. It’s the same qualities
I require from a man.” –
Catherine Deneuve
Throughout a dazzling career that has spanned half a
century, Catherine Deveuve has become one of the great
figures of French cinema. Imperious, daring, remote
and radiant, she is an acclaimed actress and celebrated
beauty who has made more than 100 films and been a
muse for fashion icon Yves St. Laurent, as well as the
face of Chanel No. 5. Befitting her monumental status
in French culture, her image was used as inspiration
for Marianne, the national symbol of France, in the
1980s. When Deneuve made her name playing a sweet,
love-struck salesgirl in the 1964 musical The Umbrellas
of Cherbourg, she was an ingénue barely out of her
teens. She quickly became famous as a blonde beauty
with fearless taste in film roles, embracing dark, offbeat
and controversial material, and playing characters that
were often sexually charged and mysterious. The list of
renowned European auteurs who have been captivated
by her presence is long and illustrious, including
Roman Polanski (Repulsion), Luis Buñuel (Belle de Jour),
Francois Truffaut (The Last Metro) and, more recently,
Lars von Trier (Dancer in the Dark) and Francois Ozon
(8 Women). Award-winning, Oscar-nominated and still
in high demand at the age of 73, Catherine Deneuve
remains one of the busiest actresses in the French
film industry – a testament to her timeless elegance,
grace and talent. This August, The Loft Cinema proudly
presents four classic films showcasing the incredible
Catherine Deneuve.