Twins Delphine and Solange, a dance instructor and a music teacher, dream of big-city life; when a fair comes through their quiet port town, so does the possibility of escape. A film by Jacques Demy, starring Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Danielle Darrieux, Michel Piccoli, Jacques Perrin, Gene Kelly, George Chakiris, Grover Dale, and Geneviève Thénier.

On a vibrant Friday morning, twin sisters, Delphine (Catherine Deneuve) and Solange (Françoise Dorléac), a dance instructor and a music teacher, are buzzing with excitement as a caravan of trucks rolls into the charming French seaside town of Rochefort. The workers diligently set about their tasks, preparing and building the stages for the fair that will take place in the town square come Sunday.

In the melodious “Chanson des jumelles,” the twin sisters lament the monotony of their provincial existence, confined to teaching piano and dance lessons to the town’s children. Their hearts yearn for the embrace of true love, a love that will sweep them away from the town of Rochefort, carrying them towards their dreams. Paris beckons, a glittering mirage of possibilities, where Delphine envisions herself gracing the stage as a dancer and Solange dreams of composing music that will captivate audiences. Together, they envision their ascent to stardom, their names etched in the annals of Parisian artistry.

At the heart of Rochefort’s town square lies a café owned by the twin’s mother Yvonne (Danielle Darrieux), a hub of activity and conversation for the town’s residents. Among her regulars is Maxence (Jacques Perrin), a free-spirited sailor who harbors a deep passion for painting and poetry. In his enchanting “Chanson de Maxence,” he weaves a tale of his seafaring adventures, traversing across the seven seas from Venice to Angkor Wat, in an unwavering quest for his soulmate, the embodiment of true love. Guided by his artistic vision, Maxence captures his dream girl on canvas, her portrait finding a place on display wall at the art gallery owned by Delphine’s boyfriend Guillaume (Jacques Riberolles).

Stepping into Guillaume’s art gallery, Delphine’s eyes are drawn to a portrait that bears an uncanny resemblance to her own features. Curiosity piqued, she inquires about the artist, and expresses her desire to meet him. Guillaume, however, consumed by jealousy, seeks to shield Delphine from any potential romantic rival. With a deceptive twist, he tells her that the artist has already departed for Paris. Guillaume also dismisses the artist as an unsuitable match for Delphine. Delphine confronts Guillaume’s patronizing attitude in the song “De Delphine à Lancien.” She challenges his assumption of knowing what she wants and needs, asserting that he is fundamentally unaware of the depths of her heart.

Delphine tells Solange about the artist and they decide to move to Paris. Solange remembers the music shop owner’s connection to the world-renowned American composer Andy Miller (Gene Kelly), who is currently performing in Paris. Solange seeks out Simon Dame (Michel Piccoli) at his music shop, hoping to secure an introduction to Andy, furthering her musical aspirations. During her visit, Simon shares the story of his fiancée, whom he met in Rochefort but never married due to her disapproval of his surname, Dame. His fiancée gave birth to twin children whom he has never met. A few years back, he received news from a friend that she had married a foreigner and relocated to Mexico. Driven by nostalgia for their first encounter and a newfound love for the town, he decided to return to Rochefort and open his music shop.

Andy, upon learning of his friend Simon establishing a music shop in Rochefort, decides to pay his old friend a surprise visit. Along the way, he encounters Solange and is instantly smitten by her. However, Solange is unaware of Andy’s true identity and tells him that they are unlikely to meet again as she is about to relocate to Paris.

A cinematic masterpiece unfolds under the masterful direction of Jacques Demy, accompanied by Michel Legrand’s captivating melodies that evoke a symphony of emotions. The film’s charm lies in the playful dance of fate, as the audience eagerly awaits the moment when the leading lady and leading man will finally cross paths. Connections intertwine, relationships are revealed, and near misses heighten the anticipation. Françoise Dorléac and Catherine Deneuve, real-life sisters, bring remarkable depth and charm to their roles, their shared sisterhood adding an extra layer of authenticity to their performances. (Catherine Deneuve’s real name is Catherine Fabienne Dorléac.)

Les Demoiselles de Rochefort was theatrically released in France on 8 March 1967. The film was a success with 1,319,432 admissions. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture — Original or Adaptation at the 41st Academy Awards.

Françoise Dorléac, poised for international stardom, tragically met her demise in a car accident on 26 June 1967, at the age of 25. She established herself as an international star with her roles in two films in 1964, Philippe de Broca’s L’Homme de Rio and 1964 François Truffaut’s La peau douce. She also starred in 1966 Roman Polanski’s black comedy Cul-de-sac.