Post 11/12 - Cassie

Les Demoiselles de Rochefort https://www.popmatters.com/the-young-girls-of-rochefort-jacques-demy-awash-with-color-and-influence-2495389425.html

This article outlines all of the comparisons to be drawn between La La Land and Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. La La Land directed by Damien Chazelle was made in 2016, just shy of 50 years after the creation of Les Demoiselles de Rochefort by Jacques Demy.

The similarities between the films was immediately apparent to me within the first five minutes of Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. Having seen La La Land first, to go back to its inspiration was extremely interesting. The opening sequence of the film, the silent dance sequence on the moving bridge, laid the groundwork for a similar commuting scene to open La La Land, this time set on an LA freeway. In addition to the creation of an elaborate commuting dance, which La La Land also borrowed some choreography from, the actors in both films wear monochrome outfits to individualize themselves and draw the eyes of the audience towards clear performers. The films are introduced as a performance, not a documentation of reality, giving it an extra theatrical effect aligning with classic hollywood musicals from MGM and Paramount Pictures. 

Moving throughout the movie, other comparisons to be highlighted are the bright colors throughout the city, the thread of music which La La Land composer Justin Hurwitz delicately samples, and even the plot.

The plot of both centers around two young people hoping to create a name for themselves in a city famous for its art, while also believing they can find love in the process.

This artistic influence has been well noted by Chazelle and Hurwitz who say most of Jacques Demy's earlier work has been hugely inspirational, as well as Hollywood's Gold era musicals, which their own film pays homage to.