The Revolutionary Vision of the French New Wave
Bold, stylish, provocative and influential, the French New Wave transformed cinema in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
In this illustrated talk, Ellen Cheshire explores the twin origins of the movement: the Cahiers du Cinéma critics such as Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut who became trailblazing directors; and the Left Bank group, including Agnès Varda, whose work blended documentary, literature and radical experimentation.
Coinciding with the release of Richard Linklater’s ‘Nouvelle Vague’, a playful portrait of the making of Godard’s ‘Breathless’, this talk places the movement’s rebellious energy in context.
From handheld cameras and jump cuts to location shooting and improvisation, New Wave filmmakers reshaped cinema with spontaneity and intellectual boldness.
We trace how ideas rooted in cinephilia, political awareness and a love/hate relationship with Hollywood created films that still feel modern. Delivered by film historian Ellen Cheshire, it reveals how their rule-breaking style produced films that still feel strikingly modern.
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FRENCH NEW WAVE
In light of the release of Richard Linklater's film 'Nouvelle Vague', we are delighted to present two actual French New Wave films - 'Breathless' and 'The 400 Blows' - accompanied by an illustrated talk.
Nouvelle Vague
Breathless
The 400 Blows
French New Wave Talk
