A Woman Is a Woman

One of the most glorious restorations of the season is A Woman Is a Woman, Jean-Luc Godard's movie-mad tribute to American musicals starring this then wife, Anna Karina. His first use of color and wide screen, A Woman Is a Woman is one of Godard's most delightful expressions of his love for movies, Hollywood illusion, the city of Paris, and his wife Karina. Here she shines as a whimsical stripper who wants to have a child and plays her two boyfriends against each other. Music by Michel Legrand (who scored Jacques Demy's Umbrellas of Cherbourg). Also starring Jean-Paul Belmondo. (1961; 84 mins.)

Screening first is Richard Linklater's Live from Shiva's Dance Floor, which features bus driver, author, and latter-day Beat philosopher Timothy "Speed" Levitch, who shares his views on post-9/11 New York City. (2002; 21 mins.) Linklater, who received a Retrospective series here in 2000, directed this year's smash hit School of Rock (2003). Look for Levitch in the film; he has a bit role as a waiter.