Melbourne International Film Festival 2025: Nouvelle Vague

 

“They want New Wave.”

Energetic, cheeky and playful, Nouvelle Vague understands Jean-Luc Godard’s influence on cinema, whilst never painting out his ego and flaws, as Linklater breathes new life into the behind-the-scenes antics that lead to the influential classic “Breathless” in gorgeous black-and-white shots with a lively cast reviving much beloved icons of the momentous movement. 

Discussion Points:

What a great film to finish my mini-MIFF marathon with - a real celebration of cinema and its lovers. It’s no surprise that Richard Linklater is a fan of the French New Wave as his laidback and independent approach to filmmaking has been clearly evident since his early works. But it’s exciting to know his talents can work across languages as he directs a nearly entirely French cast and crew to breathe new life into the making of the Godard classic “Breathless”. Linklater has an obvious admiration for the French New Wave auteur, but he doesn’t let that erase the very real character flaws of the sunglasses clad director who’s arrogance and ego are both pretentiously amusing and deeply frustrating. Zoey Deutch is fantastic as the increasingly exasperated Jean Seberg, opposite Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc, and Aubry Dullin as the charming soon-to-be star Jean-Paul Belmondo. The black-and-white film stock cinematography and period flourishes really immerse you and like all the best Linklater’s films - it’s a great hangout film as we spend time with this ragtag group production of a soon-to-be influential cinematic classic. Now I guess I should actually watch Breathless haha!