One Sings, the Other Doesn't (1977)

Director: Agnès Varda
Stars: Thérèse Liotard, Valérie Mairesse
Runtime: 120 minutes

Synopsis: The lives of Pomme, an aspiring singer, and Suzanne, a struggling mother, as they search for their own identity in 1970s France.

Verdict: The one who sings is Pomme, a free-spirited and adventurous young woman who lives her life one step at a time. At the age of 17, she meets Suzanne, a married housewife and mother of two who is struggling to deal with an unwanted pregnancy that will financially ruin her family. Pomme takes it upon herself to help her out, initiating one of the most heartwarming friendships ever to be featured on the silver screen.

The connection they share is authentic, honest, and immortal, unlike the bond that connects them to their significant others. It's a connection rooted in profound feminism, a recurrent theme found in Varda's projects, and one that allowed them to discover their true selves and embrace the freedom that came with being a woman or fight for it.

And as if this wasn't enough, we are also treated with a vibrant soundtrack and a well-composed score that further adds emotion to the central narrative carried by our two protagonists. I used to enjoy Varda's films, but "One Sing, the Other Doesn't" made me fall in love with how the French director approaches her views on the topics she addresses in them. I'm sorry Cléo, but this love letter to womanhood, friendship, and liberation is my new favorite work of hers.

FINAL GRADE: 9/10