Lola
Aris, Nikos Kourkoulos, is released from prison after three years, and he turns up at Troumpa, a slum area in Piraeus. His purpose is not to settle his own accounts but to find out if Lola (Tzeni Karezi), a young woman who works at Stelios’ cabaret, was among the ones who betrayed him. Aris loves and cares about Lola and wants to get her out of there, but Stelios, who is also in love with her, assigns a thug to kill Aris.
Insights
Plot Summary
In the seaside resort town of Cherbourg, cabaret singer Lola works to earn enough money to bring her young son, Michel, to live with her. Her life becomes complicated when she encounters both an American sailor, Frankie, and her former lover, Roland Cassard, who is Michel's father. Lola navigates these relationships while grappling with her past and dreams for the future.
Critical Reception
Jacques Demy's 'Lola' is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of love, memory, and fate with a distinctive, whimsical style. While not as widely known as some of Demy's later works, it is highly regarded by cinephiles for its unique blend of realism and fantasy, and its exploration of complex characters.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its vibrant color palette and Demy's distinctive directorial vision.
- Lauded for the nuanced performances of its lead actors, particularly Anouk Aimée.
- Appreciated for its melancholic yet hopeful exploration of love and longing.
Google audience: Audiences frequently commend 'Lola' for its artistic beauty, romantic atmosphere, and the emotional depth of its narrative. Many viewers find the film's exploration of life's uncertainties and the pursuit of happiness particularly moving.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1961 Cannes Film Festival (though released later as 'Lola').
Fun Fact
The character Lola, played by Anouk Aimée, would later be reimagined as the protagonist in Jacques Demy's famous musical 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg'.
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