A Woman Is a Woman () is a 1961 French musical romantic comedy film written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anna Karina and Jean-Claude Brialy. It is a tribute to American musical comedy and associated with the French New Wave. It is Godard's third feature film (the release of his second, Le petit soldat, was delayed by censorship), and his first in color and Cinemascope. Plot The film centers on the relationship of exotic dancer Angéla and her lover Émile. Angéla wants to have a child, but Émile is not ready. Émile's best friend Alfred also says he loves Angéla, and keeps up a gentle pursuit. Angéla and Émile argue about the matter; at one point they decide not to speak to each other, so continue their argument by pulling books from the shelf and pointing to the titles. Since Émile stubbornly refuses her request for a child, Angéla finally decides to accept Alfred's plea and sleeps with him. This proves that she will do what she must to have a child. She and Émile finally reconcile, so he has a chance to become the father. The two have sex, then engage in a bit of wordplay that gives the film its title: an exasperated Émile says "Angéla, tu es infâme" ("Angela, you are horrid"), and she retorts, "Non, je suis une femme" ("No, I am a woman"). Cast Anna Karina as Angela Jean-Claude Brialy as Émile Récamier Jean-Paul Belmondo as Alfred Lubitsch Henri Attal as false blind man #2 (uncredited) Karyn Balm as (uncredited) Dorothée Blank as prostitute 3 (uncredited) Marie Dubois as Angela's friend (uncredited) Ernest Menzer as bar owner (uncredited) Jeanne Moreau as woman in bar (herself) Nicole Paquin as Suzanne (uncredited) Gisèle Sandré as prostitute 2 (uncredited) Marion Sarraut as prostitute 1 (uncredited) Dominique Zardi as false blind man #1 (uncredited) Awards 11th Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actress (Karina - won) Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize (won) Golden Bear (nominated) References External links A Woman Is a Woman, an essay by J. Hoberman at the Criterion Collection 1961 films 1961 musical comedy films 1961 romantic comedy films 1960s French-language films 1960s romantic musical films Films directed by Jean-Luc Godard Films produced by Carlo Ponti Films scored by Michel Legrand Films set in Paris Films shot in Paris French musical comedy films French romantic comedy films French romantic musical films