If you don’t know the films of Jacques Demy (a number of which starred the lovely Catherine Deneuve), this exhibition at the la Cinémathèque will remedy that. Learn more about the classic, colourful style he took from Hollywood and made his own!The French know his films intimately of course, although the new generation may need a little refreshing. Two of Demy’s films, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort and Lola are now available restored on Blu-ray, but there’s a lot more to see besides them.

With help from Demy’s companion Agnès Varda and his son Mathieu Demy, the exhibition has had special access to the family archives, allowing it not only to show his genius as a filmmaker, but also his lesser known talents as a painter and photographer.

To get the most out of the exhibition, guided visits are organised (for adults, kids, in sign language, and even one hosted by a singer!, and there are workshops, conferences, a special day with Agnès Varda, and of course showings of all of Demy’s films, many of which have been digitally restored for the occasion.

There’s also an official catalogue (45€ ici on amazon.fr), although personally we think you should have a look at this lovely book too.

Here’s an excerpt from the catalogue…

And perhaps you’d like to challenge yourself by participating in the Jacques Demy flashmob on Saturday 13th April at 4.30pm? Sign up here, learn the steps using these videos and then buy yourself the 11 CD boxset of Michel Legrand’s music for Jacques Demy’s films!

Howevern the award for strangest Demy-related tie-in has to go to French cakemakers Dalloyau, who have ‘recreated’ a cake featured in Demy’s film Peau d’Âne, called le Cake d’Amour! And it only costs 22 euros! What a bargain.

The exhibition The enchanted world of Jacques Demy is at the Cinémathèque Française (here) from 10th April – 4th August 2013

Closed Tuesdays and 1st May. Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from midday – 7pm, Thursdays from midday – 10. Open weekends and during the school holidays (27th April-12 May, and from 3rd July-4th August) from 10am – 8pm (yes, it’s ridiculously complicated)

Admission: 10€ / 8€

Official site: www.cinematheque.fr

Facebook: facebook.com/cinemathequefr

Twitter: twitter.com/cinemathequefr

For even more details, French-speakers can consult the press release below. Click the fullscreen button at the bottom right of the image to save your eyes, or simply click here.