Released: 1959

Dir.: Alain Resnais

First time viewing reaction.

I’ve known about Alain Resnais’ Hiroshima mon amour for years but knew absolutely nothing about it. And that’s how I went into the film when I watched it for the first time Monday night. It is a beautiful, yet devastating film.

I understand that the main characters, who are unnamed in the film, but are identified in cast listings as, Elle (Emmanuelle Riva) and Lui (Eiji Okada), can be interpreted as metaphors for the cities of Nevers, Elle’s hometown, and Hiroshima, Lui’s hometown. Two cities greatly impacted by war, but in two very different ways. Hiroshima is obvious, but Nevers the scars are hidden. But my initial, personal reaction was different.

Hiroshima mon amour is a series of conversations, over a 24–36-hour period, between two people engaged in an illicit affair. Elle, a French actress in Hiroshima making a film about peace, bares her soul to Lui, about her first love. A doomed affair during the war with a German soldier, which brings shame to her and her hometown. What cannot be helped is that the film has the power to thrust you back, for good or bad, to memories of ones first love. This is where I found myself.

Memories can be a powerful thing. Another theme of the film. And the fear of forgetting them. Very often first love can be with someone you no longer know. Whether you’ve lost touch and gone your separate ways, or that person is no longer with us. Filled with regret. But the memories are there, powerful, but apt to fade.

Everyone’s reaction to the film will be different, and as personal as the film is, the reaction will be equally personal. Like great poetry.

Hiroshima mon amour is visually stunning, shot on location in Hiroshima. The black and white photography is beautiful and inspiring. A masterpiece. I will be processing this film for a long time.

Hiroshima mon amour can be seen on the Criterion Channel