Cléo from 5 to 7

Agnes Varda’s classic character study follows a pop singer as she wanders around Paris awaiting the results of serious medical tests.

More or less recreating ‘real time’, the film chronicles her various encounters (including a marvellous musical interlude with Michel Legrand) with wit and quiet compassion. Jean Rabier’s luminous images, mostly shot on the streets, speak of vitality, anxiety and cautious hope.

Ranked 14th in the 2022 Sight and Sound Great Films of All Time poll