Agnes Varda and Madonna: what secret link united the director and the pop star?

One sings, the other doesn’t. Madonna on one side; On the other hand, Varda, Agnes by name. Both are in the news, one with his world tour, which hits Paris next week; The other one has many tributes (an exhibition at the Cinematheque, the release of a new DVD box set, a book release and tonight a tribute to Arte with the documentary Viva Varda and the program Without roof, ni law).

An opportunity to highlight a little-known story, in this case the secret link, or almost, that united Madonna and Agnes Varda, and which visitors to the Viva Varda exhibition will be able to discover through an archive dating back 30 years. years to be exact and which we invite you to (re)discover below.

If this TV series dates back to 1993, then the meeting between Madonna and Agnes Varda is much earlier. In the 1980s, the Queen of Pop discovered Varda’s second feature, Cléo de 5 à 7. This sublime black-and-white masterpiece, created in 1962, depicts her wandering the streets of Paris as a young singer awaiting results. His blood test. He is afraid of a terrible judgment, news of cancer.

Madonna finds this story particularly resonant with her own experience. Deep trauma associated with the death of a mother from breast cancer. The future international star was only 5 years old then. Easily identified with the heroine played by Corinne Marchand, Madonna, who had already filmed Desperate Search for Susan and Dick Tracy, acquired the rights to Cléo 5 to 7 with the firm intention of a remake. He worked on the script and invited Agnes Varda to direct this new version.

The new version, which would take place in New York, the city where Madonna’s talent appeared. Another change from the original: the ultimate evil would no longer be represented by cancer. It is the AIDS that emerged in the 1980s that would play the role of a new dramatic spring. This element of the story became apparent to La Ciccone himself, who participated in the fight against this terrible scourge, responsible for the death of many friends and colleagues.

Production begins, but Varda’s fast-paced method—little pre-shoot planning and instinctive shot selection—is hardly compatible with the constraints of Hollywood studios. That’s why an American remake will never see the light of day. During her last interview with The Guardian in September 2018, the director said she wanted Cleo’s interpreter to be a young woman of color. He even envisioned diva Whitney Houston in the title role.

At the time of Agnes Varda’s death, Madonna paid her last tribute: “Farewell to one of my favorite directors – Agnes Varda, curious, creative, childlike spirit until the last moment. We will miss you!!“

This remake could not view the original. Cleo from 5 to 7 It is currently available to stream for free on Arte’s website, or specifically on Netflix and several VOD platforms. The exhibition of Viva Varda in the Kinomatheka will continue until January 28, 2024.