Hiroshima, Mon Amour: A Timeless Reflection on Memory and Loss
Jakarta Cinema Club’s The After Hours program will feature a screening of Hiroshima, Mon Amour (1959) this month. This iconic French film remains a cornerstone in cinematic history, celebrated for its bold storytelling and innovative filmmaking. Let’s take a closer look at why this movie continues to resonate decades after its release.
Released in 1959, Hiroshima, Mon Amour marked the debut of director Alain Resnais, who would go on to become a key figure in the French New Wave. The film emerged as a groundbreaking work, blending personal stories with historical trauma in a way that defied conventional storytelling norms of its time. Resnais collaborated with Marguerite Duras, an accomplished writer, who penned the screenplay. Her poetic and fragmented writing style brought a unique depth to the film’s exploration of memory, love, and loss.
Set in post-war Hiroshima, the story unfolds over 36 hours. A French actress, in town to shoot an anti-war film, has a fleeting but intense affair with a Japanese architect. As they connect, their conversations reveal their shared and individual traumas—she recounts her memories of World War II, and he reflects on the devastation of the atomic bomb. The film’s structure, oscillating between past and present, mirrors the fragmented nature of memory itself.
Hiroshima, Mon Amour redefined what cinema could achieve. It was one of the first films to confront the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing in such an intimate, human way. Its nonlinear approach and use of flashbacks influenced countless filmmakers, from Michelangelo Antonioni to Christopher Nolan. Resnais’ direction, paired with Duras’ script, pushed boundaries, creating a film that’s as much about the unreliability of memory as it is about love and healing.
The Legacy of Alain Resnais

Alain Resnais was already known for his short documentaries, including Night and Fog (1956), which examined the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. With Hiroshima, Mon Amour, he demonstrated his ability to blend the personal and political, crafting stories that challenge viewers to engage intellectually and emotionally. His work inspired a generation of filmmakers to embrace experimentation, paving the way for the French New Wave and beyond.
The After Hours: Hiroshima, Mon Amour
Whether you’re a long-time cinephile or new to classic films, Hiroshima, Mon Amour promises a viewing experience unlike any other. Join us at IFI Thamrin to explore this monumental work and its enduring impact on the art of filmmaking. The screening takes place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 19:00. Get the ticket here.
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