This is one of the few films that I would absolutely defend as a key work of contemporary art. This means that the narrative strategies, formal devices and content of this film place it as a major influence in literature, theory, theater and the visual arts. Quite simply this was a major breakthrough for feminist filmmaking (A major breakthrough for filmmaking period). The great Delphine Seyrig plays a woman (mostly silently) going about her daily tasks. And through penetrating observation we begin to realize the utter frustration and oppression of her life. The film is a thrilling, painful, existential document that really gives validation and agency to the struggle of women against the visible and invisible hands of patriarchy