Le rayon vert (The Green Ray)

In the fifth instalment of Comédies et proverbes, Rohmer boldly blends realism and magic. We follow Delphine (Marie Rivière), a young, shy Parisienne who, following a break-up, travels aimlessly through French holiday resorts. Unlike Rohmer’s usual ensemble pieces, this film revolves entirely around Delphine’s search for true love and her refusal to settle for superficial relationships. The title refers to the rare green light at sunset, which, according to Jules Verne, offers insight into one’s feelings. Rohmer builds slowly towards this symbolic moment in a film that was largely improvised and adopts an exceptionally documentary-like style. The tension arises from the contrast between the sunny holiday world, Delphine’s inner crisis and the enchanting moment of epiphany. Awarded the Golden Lion in Venice, Le Rayon vert went on to become one of Rohmer’s most beloved and personal films.