The Young Girls Turn 25 is a 1993 documentary film directed by Agnes Varda. The film was made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her husband Jacques Demy's musical film Les demoiselles de Rochefort. The documentary offers an extensive behind-the-scenes look at the preparations and the celebrations that took place in Rochefort, a small seaside town in western France, to mark the occasion.
The film features interviews with the original cast and crew members of Les demoiselles de Rochefort and also involves displays of costumes, photographs, and posters from the film. The documentary aims to capture the spirit of the original film and how it still holds an important place in French cinema.
Throughout the film, Varda also takes the chance to explore the theme of time and how it takes a toll on people's lives, including that of the principal actors and actresses of Les demoiselles de Rochefort, who have aged 25 years since the original film was made.
The film ends with a grand performance of the famous dance sequence from Les demoiselles de Rochefort by some of the original cast members along with a new generation of dancers, thus signifying the endurance and timelessness of the film and its enduring legacy.
Overall, The Young Girls Turn 25 is a lovingly made tribute to Les demoiselles de Rochefort, its creators, and the town that inspired it, filled with joy, nostalgia, and insights that will be especially enjoyed by fans of Demy's original film.
