Symbolizing an era in search of freedom, the film marked a turning point in French society in the 1950s. Between censorship and scandal, it revealed Brigitte Bardot's sensuality and established a new feminine figure, free from convention. The first film to be shot entirely in Saint-Tropez, it reveals the beauty of the village and contributes to its mythical status.
Initially received with reservations in France, the film was a triumph in the United States, before winning over French audiences.
The exhibition revisits this seminal moment through photographs, original posters, costumes and period objects, testifying to the cultural upheaval that the film represented for Saint-Tropez and for French cinema.
The year 1956 marks a pivotal moment in contemporary history, as French society prepares for the upheavals of the decades to come. Against this backdrop of social, moral and artistic transition, Vadim's film stands out as a manifesto of emancipation before its time.
Even before its release, the film narrowly escaped total censorship, suffering numerous cuts and a ban on under-16s. Only the final scene remains, in which Brigitte Bardot, improvising a mambo, ardently embodies a new sensuality, freed from the moral codes of the time.
The first feature film shot in Saint-Tropez, the film reveals the village's solar beauty and ushers in its international destiny. Freshly received in France, it was sent to the United States by producer Raoul Lévy, where it was a resounding success: 16.5 million admissions. This triumph on the other side of the Atlantic led to its rescheduling in France, where audiences flocked to see the BB phenomenon, reaching around 4 million admissions.
Considered a precursor of the Nouvelle Vague, "Et Dieu... créa la femme" marked a turning point in the history of French cinema. It imposed a new outlook on women, youth and the freedom of the body. By giving the lead role to his wife Brigitte Bardot, Vadim propelled a young, as yet unknown actress into the ranks of world icon.
By revealing Saint-Tropez to the whole world, the film helped shape its lasting image as a mythical village, a place of freedom, modernity and celebration.
The exhibition revisits this cult film and the context of its time: France in the late '50s, torn between modesty and the desire for emancipation. The exhibition features Léo Mirkine's photographs of the film's shooting, international posters, costumes and emblematic objects, bearing witness to a time when cinema, youth and society as a whole were moving towards modernity.
