Chronicle of a Summer (1961): cast, story & where to watch
1961 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1961, Chronicle of a Summer is a documentary film directed by Jean Rouch, running about 87 minutes. “The first film of cinéma vérité” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Paris, summer of 1960. Anthropologist and filmmaker Jean Rouch, along with sociologist and film critic Edgar Morin, both assisted by Marceline and Nadine, roam the crowded streets asking ordinary people how they deal with the misfortunes of life. Are you happy? But their real purpose is to find out if people can speak sincerely in front of a camera and how they react when they are later invited to analyze the meaning of their answers.
Who’s in it. Chronicle of a Summer stars Edgar Morin as Himself, Jean Rouch as Himself, Marceline Loridan-Ivens as Herself and Nadine Ballot as Herself, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, Chronicle of a Summer has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Chronicle of a Summer page.
If you liked it. Fans of Chronicle of a Summer tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Chronicle of a Summer (1961)?
- In US, Chronicle of a Summer is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Chronicle of a Summer worth watching?
- Chronicle of a Summer holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Chronicle of a Summer?
- Chronicle of a Summer stars Edgar Morin, Jean Rouch, Marceline Loridan-Ivens, Nadine Ballot and Marilù Parolini.
- When was Chronicle of a Summer released?
- Chronicle of a Summer was released in 1961, with a runtime of about 87 minutes.