Masculin Feminin (1966)

 Jean-Luc Godard's "Masculin Feminin" 

With his 1966 film "Masculin Feminin," Jean-Luc Godard attempts to make a picture aimed at the youth of contemporary France. Starring the iconic Jean-Pierre Leaud and real life ye-ye singer Chantal Goya as two young lovers, the film wades through its narrative and vignettes while probing its characters, along with unknown ancillary characters, about their opinions on politics, gender, and romance. While the film doesn't exactly speak on behalf of the French youth at the time, it certainly taps into their state of mind and the people they're becoming based on their unique environment in the post-war landscape. As the film states in an interlude at a certain point, "This film could be called 'The Children of Marx and Coca-Cola." 

Paul, a political rebel, and Madeleine, a pop singer, could not be more different. They have completely differing tastes and political leanings and yet they become romantically involved nonetheless. They even expand their relationship to the realms of a menage-a-quatre with Madeleine's two roommates, Catherine and Elisabeth. The two waver between exasperating each other and romantically inseparable. All the while, Paul interviews people on their politics, opinions on sex, and other contemporary issues. Meanwhile, Madeleine continues to rise to fame through her music career.

While the film doesn't offer any explanation to the philosophies of the modern youth, it certain paints in broad strokes to identify a certain uncertainty and contradiction to their ideals. This does not mean the film is criticizing the youth in any way. On the contrary, the film is admirable towards its subjects. But what it does do is criticize the environment these youths are coming of age in. It is clearly in environment influenced by American cultural expansion in the post-war era. There are continuous mentions of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola, the advertising is abundant and overt, desires are driven by consumption and materialism, and the anti-American Marxist political ideologies held by Paul are swallowed up by an unflinching capitalist landscape. 

"Masculin Feminin" is a film ruminating on youthful frustration and disillusionment, while also noting the rebellious spark of the 1960's sexual awakening, political activity, and cultural markings. There is a certain rebellion and energy to the film that is hard not to enjoy. It muses on so many different relevant cultural ideas in its time and makes for a great insight into the burgeoning spirit of our modern world.