A Modern Coed (1966)

Plot

Eric Rohmer's documentary explores the evolving role of women in French universities during the 1960s. The narration highlights a significant shift from 1940, when just 21,000 women attended college—representing only 30% of the student population. By the 1964-1965 academic year, enrollment surged past 120,000. Emphasizing independence, the film showcases women abandoning traditional domestic roles for professional careers, donning lab coats instead of aprons. Their determination to break societal norms reflects a pivotal moment in history, marking a new era of empowerment and ambition for women in academia and beyond.