Richard Linklater Unveils Nouvelle Vague, A Tribute to French New Wave Cinema
At the Cannes Film Festival press conference, director Richard Linklater eloquently stated, “If you do it long enough, I always thought you can make one film about making films. This is mine,” referring to his latest work, Nouvelle Vague. This film serves as a heartfelt homage to the groundbreaking French New Wave movement.
A Journey Through Cinema History
Nouvelle Vague intricately explores the creative process behind Jean-Luc Godard’s iconic film, Breathless (À bout de souffle). Captured on film with a 4:3 aspect ratio and in the French language, the movie features Guillaume Marbeck embodying Godard, Zoey Deutch portraying Jean Seberg, and Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo. Breathless, hailed as a cornerstone of French New Wave, narrates the intertwining lives of a small-time criminal, Michel Poiccard (played by Belmondo), who is on the run after a heist, and his romance with Patricia Franchini (Seberg), an American journalism student in Paris.
The Reception at Cannes
Reflecting on potential criticisms, Linklater noted, “Ten years ago, when we were thinking about this movie, I was thinking they’ll hate that an American director did it.” He expressed skepticism about showing the film in France, stating it might be well-received globally but questioned its acceptance at home. Despite his concerns, Nouvelle Vague premiered to an enthusiastic audience, culminating in a remarkable ten-minute standing ovation.
A Filmmaker’s Reflection
Known for his unique storytelling style exemplified in the Before trilogy and films like Dazed and Confused and Boyhood, Linklater articulated the personal significance of Breathless: “It represented freedom and the notion of the personal film.” He described the experience of making Nouvelle Vague as a journey back in time, stating, “I felt like I was 28 years old making this film. I had to erase my experience and get back to my first film mentality.”
A Loving Homage
The Hollywood Reporter encapsulated the essence of Nouvelle Vague by saying, “If Nouvelle Vague is not exactly Breathless, it’s a loving homage to the crazy way Breathless was made — back when you could shoot movies fast, cheap and out of control, and somehow change cinema in the process.” This statement emphasizes Linklater’s intention to pay tribute to the audacious spirit of filmmaking during the French New Wave era.
Industry Insights and Future Perspectives
In response to inquiries about the potential tariffs on films produced abroad, recently proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Linklater expressed doubt about their implementation, stating, “That’s not going to happen, right? That guy changes his mind like 50 times a day.” Meanwhile, Deutch highlighted the importance of revitalizing the film industry in Los Angeles, sharing her enthusiasm for her recent project in the city, which she described as a “magical” experience.
Linklater, who collaborated with French producers for Nouvelle Vague, praised the French film industry for its dedication to nurturing a healthy cinematic environment, suggesting that the U.S. could benefit from adopting similar practices.