Catherine Ringer

This film is made up several sketches in which certain actors play several real or fictional roles to a background of rock music. The lead character, played by Godard himself, is an annoyingly perfectionist film-maker determined to wring every last drop of the finest performance possible from his stars.

To celebrate this anniversary, CANAL+ is presenting a special prime-time program titled “40.” It’s an opportunity to defy the passage of time by revisiting some of the defining moments of pop culture in general and CANAL+ in particular. More than sixty—that’s the number of talents, artists, and actors whom the channel has had the privilege of watching emerge, flourish, or grow, and who have reimagined in their own way the films, series, and short-form programs that have shaped our shared history since November 4, 1984. On the stage of the Folies Bergère, Antoine de Caunes gracefully and effortlessly bridges the gap between 1984 and 2024 to host this evening, which alternates between studio segments, pre-recorded footage, and live performances.

Armande Pigeon, a queen of shenanigans in Brussels struggles to make ends meet because she can’t stop gambling on everything, always ending up on the wrong side of luck. When she teams up with Ronnie one night, everything changes — they win it all. And when you hit a winning streak, you have to know when to stop.

Jacques Belin, presenter of a silly TV show, gets drunk after receiving an award and misses the train bringing his TV-soap-star fiancée. He meets up with Frède, just out of prison after a three year sentence and, in between numerous arguments and Jacques' break-up with his girlfriend, the two of them get drunker together, going across Paris in search of more alcohol and adventure.

Herbert, a Candide-like idealistic teenager, wants to become a doctor to help humanity, but his parents insist that he become a rich aviator. Herbert runs away to study medicine with a wise old Boulugre, and vows to help the natives of undeveloped countries. He finds that the Boulugres are a tribe whose men have a disgusting mushroom growing from their heads. He develops a vaccine for them, wants to give it to them free, and fights with Chousk, a pharmaceutical tycoon who wants to sell it to them. But the Boulugres are deathly afraid of needles and refuse to be inoculated by anyone. Herbert, disillusioned, escapes into love with a Yugoslav airline stewardess.

Filmed excerpts from the Flashes Rouges rock opera starring Catherine Ringer, future singer of Les Rita Mitsouko. Made for French television.