1950s Cannes: Carefree Days, Troubling Ways

In a “most childishly pure,” way, Blue Jeans documents a day in the life of two young Cannois, Dany and René, as they prowl the beaches and streets of Cannes on their Vespa GS scooters, pestering and harassing young women—back when men pestering and harassing women was the cultural norm.

Jacques Rozier apparently observed such behaviour while visiting the area and decided to recapture it on celluloid.

The film evokes an upbeat mood as it opens with our lascivious duo riding towards the promenade of La Croisette on a scorching day to the sounds of Cuban Cha-cha-chá, but there is also plenty of awkwardness to go around as young women are approached and taunted in-situ, many obviously unaware of the reason for the film crew.

Eventually more young local (non-professional) actors enter the equation bringing with them some semblance of a plot (this is so much easier to watch when the women are willing participants), and while it successfully reminds us of the joys of summer and the carefree nature of youth, it’s somewhat depressing to note that this was a typical unproductive day for young men like our two protagonists. One wonders how their lives panned out.