Sister Act: Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac in The Young Girls of Rochefort

A sparkling homage to the golden age of Hollywood, Jacques Demy’s The Young Girls of Rochefort tells the story of dance instructor Delphine and music teacher Solange, twin sisters who yearn for excitement and romance beyond the confines of their quaint seaside town. This beloved musical marks the only film collaboration of Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac, two French stars who had cultivated international careers in the sixties, and whose vibrant synchronicity on-camera was fueled by their affectionate relationship as real-life siblings. In 1993, the town of Rochefort celebrated the film’s twenty-fifth anniversary, an occasion that director Agnès Varda, Demy’s widow and longtime collaborator, captured in The Young Girls Turn 25. Featured on our release of the film, this documentary weaves together reminiscences from cast members and locals celebrating the event with behind-the-scenes footage shot during the film’s production. In the above excerpt, Deneuve reflects on the sisterly bond that anchors Demy’s pastel-hued paradise, noting that her playful on-set rapport with Dorléac brought back memories of growing up together.