La Pointe Courte

La Pointe Courte

Year: 1955

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: French

Director: Agnès Varda

RomanceDrama

The film offers a penetrating study of a marriage on the rocks, using the small Mediterranean fishing village of Sète as a vivid backdrop. It blends a stylized portrait of the couple’s tangled relationship with a documentary‑like observation of the villagers’ everyday labor, hardships, and community life in the South of France.

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Timeline & Setting – La Pointe Courte (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of La Pointe Courte (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-20th century

Set in a mid-20th-century coastal town, the story unfolds against a backdrop of postwar life in southern France. Daily routines, small-town power dynamics, and the clash between local rules and individual desires define the era. The film captures a moment when tradition and modernity begin to collide in ordinary life.

Location

La Pointe Courte, Sète, France

La Pointe Courte is the fishermen's quarter of the Mediterranean port of Sète in southern France. It is a tight-knit coastal community where families fish, trade, and socialize along the quay and lagoon. The lagoon and harbor provide the backdrop for political tensions, love, and communal rituals.

🎣 Fishing village 🏖️ Mediterranean port

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:13

Main Characters – La Pointe Courte (1955)

Meet the key characters of La Pointe Courte (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Him (Philippe Noiret)

An unnamed husband whose calm, reflective nature anchors the couple’s dynamic. He believes love evolves with time and values shared memories, even as his wife questions their marriage. His steady presence helps navigate tension and ultimately nudges toward reconciliation.

💑 Couple 🧭 Loyalty

Her (Silvia Monfort)

An unnamed wife from Paris who comes to be with her husband, initially seeking a divorce. She wrestles with dissatisfaction and the thrill of new love, but gradually reassesses what she wants from a long-term relationship. Her perspective shifts as she experiences the village and its rhythms.

💑 Wife 💭 Transformation

Raphäel Scotto (Marcel Jouet)

A young fisherman who pushes against rules but proves capable and resourceful. His brief jail stint and temporary release to participate in local events shape his standing in the community. His actions and affections contribute to the tensions and reconciliations within the social circle.

🎣 Fisherman 🕊️ Rebellion 💘 Young Love

Anna Soldino (Anna Banegas)

A young Parisian woman who returns to be with her husband, initially seeking to move on from their marriage. She navigates family pressures and romantic entanglements, including a budding connection with Raphäel, which challenges her assumptions about love and maturity.

💃 Woman 💘 Love 👪 Family

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:13

Major Themes – La Pointe Courte (1955)

Explore the central themes of La Pointe Courte (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love and Time

The film follows a married couple whose bond shifts as years pass. The wife arrives with plans to divorce, yet experiences a transformation as they spend time together in the village. The husband’s patient, reflective nature hints that love matures rather than fades. Through their reconciliation, the movie suggests that lasting affection endures beyond initial spark.

⚖️ Authority vs Community

Local health rules and coastal patrols collide with the fishermen's pride and independence. Some residents flaunt the rules while others quietly resist, shaping the social fabric. The tension is intensified by a contested water test and suspicions of foul play. Ultimately, the community weighs safety against tradition and political realities.

🎉 Tradition and Ritual

Weekly water jousts and neighborhood parties anchor life in La Pointe Courte. These events offer a space for families to connect, flirt, and heal, even as underlying tensions persist. The couple's break from routine during these moments highlights the power of shared rituals to rekindle affection. Yet, the joys do not erase the problems awaiting in the morning.

🕊️ Mortality and Resilience

A local child dies, reminding the community of fragility and the costs of life by the sea. Grief tests relationships but also reinforces communal bonds as neighbors support one another. The event deepens characters' empathy and prompts them to reflect on what truly matters in love and home. The film uses this moment to underscore resilience amid hardship.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:13

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La Pointe Courte Summary

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La Pointe Courte Summary

La Pointe Courte Timeline

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La Pointe Courte Timeline

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