A Room in Town (1982)

Set against the pulsating rhythm of a workers' strike, "A Room in Town" unravels a unique tapestry of love, betrayal and social unrest, entirely sung to the rhythm of an operatic score. Amidst the turmoil of the strike and the preparations for a demonstration, two fascinating love stories bloom. François, caught in the throes of passion, forsakes his pregnant girlfriend, Violette, for the captivating beauty of an upper-class woman, Edith. As he tries to justify his actions, Violette's sense of injustice only deepens. Unbeknownst to François, his new lover is not just any woman. He rents his room from Edith's widowed mother, and their paths cross in the most unexpected manner. They meet on the streets, where beneath her open fur coat, Edith reveals herself to be stark naked, setting the stage for their short-lived, yet intense, love affair. This whirlwind romance lasts for a fleeting day and night, but the passion they share is intense, genuine, and reciprocal. Edith, trapped in a loveless marriage, finds a magnetic attraction in François, a connection that transcends class and circumstance. Yet, their love story is abruptly cut short when tragedy strikes during the demonstration, and François is fatally shot by the police, dying in Edith's arms. In this film musical by Jacques Demy, the music is reminiscent of opera, serving as a powerful backdrop to the raw emotions and events that unfold. The singers are meticulously trained to express the characters' deep-seated feelings, adding another layer of depth to this poignant tale of love and rebellion.

A Room in Town is a drama movie featuring Dominique Sanda and directed by Jacques Demy.

A Room in Town is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.