Do You Want to Change the World? A synopsis on The Golden Age
“This world needs to be changed and that’s what us artists are here for. Because if we don’t do it, who will?”
I listened to these lines recited from Sebastian, one of the protagonists of a film in which I was deeply immersed, and it resonated strongly with me.
In a time where we are restricted from living our lives the way we have been used to, lost loved ones more than ever due to plague and increased violence…where we can’t say “black lives matter” or even merely hint at our social or political thoughts without erupting a turbulent wave of conflict and division, our world has reached a low point. It needs a reboot—a fresh start, if you will. Change is absolutely prerequisite.
Sebastian had it right and, as a creative myself, it touched me—his sentiment of changing the world and artists leading the way.
The work in which these lines were so poignantly expressed and that I was deeply immersed is called The Golden Age. It is a spectacular film about two artists, Sebastian and Angèle, who synchronously meet in Paris during the 1960s and venture to Saint Tropez to pursue and realize their artistic ambitions together. Sebastian is a bankrupt Franco-American producer living in Los Angeles who returns to France to flee the Vietnam war and Angèle is a driven Parisian theatre actress who has performed mostly in front of empty seats. Angèle and Sebastian both are in search of achieving something grander, more fulfilling and impactful in their lives and thus their union is the very catalyst to carry out these aspirations.
Picture Credit: Belle Époque Films
There are several elements I really connected with and found inspirational and intriguing from the Golden Age:
The Desire/Theme to Change the World
This is a pervasive theme throughout The Golden Age. Set in a time when there were many pressures—the Vietnam war, the Civil Rights Movement, riots in America and in Europe—there was much to aspire to, in terms of change for the better.
John Lennon of the Beatles pushed for great change in many ways including in his popular “Imagine,” where he urged for peace during the Vietnam War and for people around the world to live in unity. Angèle mentions her love of The Beatles to Sebastian and it would not be surprising that she admires these champions of transformation as she just as strongly espouses the cause.
In fact, Angèle and Sebastian have several conversations throughout the film about change, what it truly means to change the world and how change can happen. Angèle even challenges Sebastian by saying “You said yourself you weren’t comfortable in this world, that you wanted to change it. How do you want to change things if you don’t change yourself?”
Picture Credit: Belle Époque Films
The Definition of Success
Another thoughtful topic that was visited in the film was ‘what does it mean to be successful?’ and the notions of personal success. Is success defined by celebrity-ism, the glitter, the glam and how much money or fame someone has? Or is it something more substantive and less exaggerated?
Angèle and Sebastian might have had different initial definitions of success, with Sebastian’s in constant flux, as he seems to battle between developing himself as a true artist, serving as an agent of change, and driving fancy cars, popping champagne, being noticed by pretty girls and making his ‘big break,’ according to Hollywood standards.
Angèle, on the other hand, is fixed in her stance. “My goal is not to end up my career in a limousine, but to reach the peak of artistic expression with real artists,” she tells Sebastian. She aspires to much more than notoriety and fame and makes sacrifices that many in her position would never think to do, all in the name of artistic expression (what success is, to Angèle).
Saint Tropez
A large part of the film is set in Saint Tropez and maybe it’s my love (okay, you got me…obsession) for all things French, but you can never go wrong with the French Riviera. In fact, that is quite the understatement. The French Riviera is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, and with Saint Tropez as one of the towns on this Mediterranean coast, merely existing there grants one instant access to its all-encompassing elegance and charm.
Saint Tropez transformed from a military town and fishing village, prior to World War II, into an internationally known seaside resort, attracting musicians and artists of the French New Wave movement (one of the most influential movements in the history of cinema). One of the artistic talents who filmed in Saint Tropez and contributed greatly in transforming this rustic fishing village into one of the hottest destinations in the South of France was Brigitte Bardot.
Thus, it really rings true–the words of a St. Tropezian in the film who stops and chats with Angele as she takes a water break at a nearby fountain: “In Saint-Tropez, whether you’re blue, white, black or green… as long as you’re nice and talented, you can make it.”
Saint Tropezian in The Golden Age, played by Bernard Brun
The scenery of Saint Tropez shown in The Golden Age is breathtaking. To simply rest my eyes on the crystal clear ocean calmly cascading against the sea rocks and to see the sun rays illuminating the beauty of the nature and stunning architecture of the town transports me (at least in my mind) to this gorgeous place.
I will say though that (although difficult to fixate on anywhere else but this beautiful French Riviera town), there are more than several locations, across 2 countries, of which beautiful scenery is captured, in The Golden Age; 35 in fact! Some of these locations between LA, Paris and on the French Riviera include: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Bir-Hakeim Bridge near the Eiffel Tower, the Saint-Tropez harbor, Ramatuelle beaches and more!
I definitely know the first international destination on my check list when quarantine is over! In the meantime, I’ll keep dreaming of you, Saint Tropez *winks and blows kiss ;)*.
Picture Credit: Serge Angeloni
Woman Power!
Did you expect any less from me? (especially for those who know me well). I’m always attracted to works of art that encourage women to be independent and to pursue their passions, and The Golden Age is one of them!
Jenna Suru’s character Angèle, albeit a struggling theatre actress (at least in the beginning of her journey), is also headstrong, committed and perseverant in achieving all goals set before her, namely those related to artistic development and her objective to change the world.
In a time where it was generally expected of women to rear children, take care of the household and be subservient to the man (…to be “domestic”), Angèle is the very opposite. She is strong. She has a voice. She is innovative; and where most women of the ‘60s would look to a man to lead and provide direction, in many ways, Angèle is the lead. She looks at Sebastian not as a superior but as a partner of equal footing. Plus, she’s not afraid to let him know how she really feels or voice her opinion when she is not happy or in agreement with his actions. She is a true woman who knows her worth, pursues her vision, values an equal partnership and is not afraid to speak up. I absolutely love it!
Picture Credit: Belle Époque Films
Fashion, Fashion, Fashion!
I can’t help but let my eyes stray to beautiful things; to people, to scenery and to looks/fashion! All of these were present in the movie, and I loved the styles and outfits displayed in the film. As The Golden Age is a period piece, as you can imagine, the looks displayed embraced the ‘60s.
In regards to make-up, the eyes were the main focus of the makeup style in the sixties. Dramatic cat eye looks and colorful eyeshadows on the lid were quite common, especially after 1965. Hair wise, a lot of women would tease and sweep their hair back, curling it into a bun or partial-bun style secured with a barrette. The voluminous look was in!
Picture Credit: Belle Époque Films
Picture Credit: Serge Angeloni
Go-go boots, mini skirts and bright-colored, psychedelic patterns were in as well! We see Angèle sport these hair, makeup and wardrobe ‘60s looks consistently throughout the film and so stunningly!
And may I just say, I love the John Lennon inspired glasses worn by some of the gents in this photo with the whole gang. Super groovy! 8)
Picture Credit: Belle Époque Films
This movie has sincerely been amongst my few new favorite films and discoveries during this quarantine period. From the beautiful scenery to the deep and meaningful messages, much was evoked in my spirit through watching The Golden Age.
Its accolades are also impressive…The Golden Age is a multi-awarded feature in the USA and Europe and sold-out as well as received the award for London Independent Film Festival Winner 2020 on Opening Night; the film also received the Best Female-Director Feature Award.
And its filmmaker Jenna Suru is quite impressive herself. She not only directed and wrote the film, but starred in it (as Angèle) as well as was the sole producer. Jenna is the owner of her production company, Belle Époque Films, is the founder of Paris International Film Festival and is actively involved in several efforts to impact change, including championing diversity-inclusive, eco-friendly filmmaking through the launch of #FilmGreen Movement.
Jenna Suru: director, actress & writer, The Golden Age; Picture Credit: Big Picture Film Club
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