Cheveux courts, idées longues
This subject was first aired in the women's programme Dim Dam Dom on 24 September 1965. The programme came into existence along with the second television channel created by ORTF, the French broadcasting organisation, which aired the show from 1965 to 1970. It was shown on Sundays (Dim for Dimanche) especially for women (Dam for Dame) but also for men (Dom for Homme). 1965, the year the programme, innovative in its freedom of style and tone, was launched, was also the year of matrimonial reform, promoting equality between men and women by reducing a husband's rights over his wife.
Here, Jacques Dessange tests a new short, geometric cut for French actresses Macha Méril, Valérie Lagrange, France Anglade and Évelyne Dandry. This cut is reminiscent of the post-World War I androgynous urchin cuts. At that time, these women seeking emancipation and to be active asserted their right to a practical, comfortable haircut. The urchin style revolutionised the way the female was represented, thus paving the way for contemporary woman, and later making an icon of Jean Seberg (1938-1979) and her very short haircuts.
During the 1960s, this fashion reappeared on television and in the street, for aesthetic rather than revolutionary reasons. However, commentaries encourage women to "reveal" their intelligence, running contrary to the view of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860): "Woman is an animal with long hair and short ideas."
Thanks to programmes such as Dim Dam Dom, the small screen made its own modest contribution to female emancipation, "the only revolution in the 20th century destined to last" (1). However, the programme did not survive the break-up of ORTF in 1974 and private channels, which appeared in 1985, went on to give ascendancy to under-50s housewives, leaving the liberated woman struggling to find her place.
(1) Martin Evin, booklet accompanying the DVD set Dim Dam Dom, INA, 2009.
