Vivre Sa Vie (1962) (Blu-ray) (UK Import)

A classic of French New Wave cinema, Vivre sa vie has been described as ‘a perfect film’ by Susan Sontag and ‘astonishing’ by fellow critic Roger Ebert.

Jean-Luc Godard’s critically acclaimed drama tells the story of Nana (Anna Karina), a young Parisian woman who works in a record shop but finds herself disillusioned by poverty and a rapidly failing marriage. With dreams of becoming an actress and making it in the film industry, Nana is disappointed when nothing comes of it, and she quickly turns to a life of prostitution. When she finally meets a man (Peter Kassowitz) who truly cares for her, Nan’s hope returns but Raoul (Sady Rebbot) her pimp may have the final say.

Told in 12 short episodes, Godard borrowed the aesthetics of the cinéma vérité approach to documentary film-making that was fashionable at the time with the result being a landmark of his career.

Extras

Newly remastered High Definition presentation
•Feature-length commentary by film critic Adrian Martin
•Leslie Hardcastle Introduces Vivre sa vie at the National Film Theatre (1968, 3 mins, audio only)
•In conversation: Anna Karina and Alistair Whyte ( Jean-Luc Godard, 1973, 37 mins): rare archival interview
•Charlotte et Véronique, ou Tous les garçons s’appellent Patrick (1957, 20 mins)
•Une Histoire d eau (Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, 1958, 12 mins)
•Charlotte et son Jules (Jean-Luc Godard, 1958, 13 mins)
•Illustrated booklet featuring new writing by David Thompson and Virginie Sélavy, and full film credits

Anna Karina stars in this French drama directed and co-written by Jean-Luc Godard. After separating from her husband, Parisian shop assistant Nana (Karina) decides that she wants to become an actress. However, when her finances prevent her from entering the film industry, all Nana's ambition seeps away and she ends up working the streets of the French capital as a prostitute. Her descent into the business is told in 12 short episodic scenes culminating in her being sold by the pimp Raoul (Sady Rebbot).