Vale, Anouk et Françoise

Tristement*, this month marked the passing of two legendary French performers. First, hugely successful French pop star and fashionista Françoise Hardy at 80 after a long battle with cancer. Closely followed by New Wave cinema icon Anouk Aimée at 92 years old.

Releasing her first single at 18 in 1962, Hardy became a key player in the French yé-yé style – a response to rock ‘n’ roll (and British bands’ ubiquitous chant of “yeah.”). In 2023, she was named in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 200 greatest singers of all time – the only French artist to make the cut.

With striking looks and signature French cool style, Hardy became a muse to designers including Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne. However, in her later years, after decades of treatment for lymphatic cancer, she was perhaps best known as an advocate for euthanasia – illegal under (“inhuman”) French law. 

A darling of some of Europe’s most celebrated directors, including Italy’s Federico Fellini and France’s Claude Lelouch and Jacques Demy, celebrated actress Anouk Aimée rose to international acclaim in Fellini’s 1960 masterpiece, La Dolce Vita.

With a cool, sophisticated allure, the four-times-married Aimée had her biggest breakthrough when nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award in the 1966 Oscar-winning film, Un Homme et une Femme (A Man and a Woman).

Whether you’re un(e) admirateur/trice* or new to her work, ce film* is a must-watch (or rewatch) for any lover of French cinema.

*Sadly| *a fan | *this film