Serious film buffs need no introduction to the great works of French director Jean-Luc Godard. Two of those works -- 1962's "Vivre sa vie" and "Contempt," from 1963 -- screen at UWM's Union Theatre, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 26-28.

But since they will be shown in sparkling new 35mm prints, they're worth rediscovering even if you think you've already seen them.

"Vivre sa vie," starring Anna Karina -- the actress that was briefly Godard's wife -- was one of the director's most popular and critically-acclaimed films. The pouty Karina portrays a woman who, in order to become an actress, leaves her husband and child to try. But her career is going nowhere and she works in a record shop. Financial woes draw her to a life of prostitution.

While Karina's character Nana certainly feels a sense of independence and freedom to determine her own destiny, she appears to be a pawn in a society that demands tough choices.

The stunning black and white, cinema verite film has the look and feel of a documentary and is an artistic masterpiece.

"Contempt" -- shot in Italy and based on Alberto Moravia's novel -- stars a stunning Bridgette Bardot as the aloof trophy wife of struggling screenwriter Paul Javal (Michel Piccoli), who is hired by an American producer (played by Jack Palance) to write a film version of Homer's "Odyssey" directed by legendary German director Fritz Lang (played by Lang himself).

As the film becomes mired in artistic differences, Paul and Bardot's character, Camille, hit the rocks, too and the whole thing climaxes at the end (we won't spoil it by saying any more).

"Contempt" marked Godard's return to color film after a string of stark and lovely black and whites, including "Vivre sa vie." The new prints, says UWM Theatre Director David Dinnell, are not to missed.

"They will look amazing," he enthuses. "'Contempt' is in Cinemascope and these are films that deserve to be seen in a cinema for the great Raoul Coutard's cinematography alone.

"These two films are from a really exciting period of both Godard's earlier work and the French New Wave. I think for audiences that haven't yet seen either, it will be a great introduction to one of cinema's most important directors. And for those that have seen these before on DVD, they will enjoy seeing these film presented as they were intended."

"Contempt" screens at 7 p.m. on Friday and Sunday and at 5 and 9 p.m. on Saturday. "Vivre sa vie" shows at 9 p.m. Friday, at 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is free. Both films are in French (or French, English, German and Italian, in the case of "Contempt") with English subtitles.