Richard Linklater‘s latest project, Nouvelle Vague, brings to life the revolutionary spirit of Jean-Luc Godard’s cinematic masterpiece, Breathless. This film offers a nostalgic look at the origins of the influential French New Wave, capturing the creativity and challenges faced by the young Godard. The newly released trailer sets the stage for a film that dives deep into the making of one of the most iconic films of the 20th century.
Netflix has recently released the trailer for Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, a heartfelt tribute to the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s landmark 1959 film, Breathless, and the dawn of the French New Wave.
Shot on 35mm film in striking black-and-white by cinematographer David Chambille, Nouvelle Vague stars Guillaume Marbeck as the ambitious Jean-Luc Godard, alongside Aubry Dullin as the charming Jean-Paul Belmondo, and Zoey Deutch as the captivating Jean Seberg. This film captures the essence of a cinematic era that redefined filmmaking.
The Birth of a Cinematic Movement
Linklater’s film portrays a young Godard, then a film critic at Les Cahiers du Cinéma, navigating his turbulent yet passionate journey into filmmaking. His rocky relationship with producer Georges de Beauregard, who was frustrated with Godard’s unconventional style, is explored with great nuance. The narrative also delves into his friendships with fellow New Wave directors such as François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette, as well as Jean-Pierre Melville, who made a memorable cameo in Breathless.
The film further examines Godard’s complex collaboration with Seberg, showing his refusal to treat her as just another Hollywood star, and his easygoing direction of the spontaneous Belmondo.
A Homage to French New Wave Pioneers
Filmed predominantly in French with limited English dialogue, Nouvelle Vague is a celebration of the New Wave era, featuring portrayals of cinematic icons like Truffaut, Eric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol, and Agnès Varda. These figures laid the groundwork for the New Hollywood movement, influencing directors such as Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, and Quentin Tarantino.
Produced by Laurent Pétin and Michèle Halberstadt at ARP Selection, the screenplay saw collaboration from Halberstadt, Laetitia Masson, Holly Gent, and Vincent Palmo Jr., ensuring an authentic representation of the era.
Nouvelle Vague will make its theatrical debut in the U.S. on October 31, followed by a Netflix release on November 14, allowing audiences to revisit a transformative period in film history.
Watch the trailer below.
