Lecture - Film - French New Wave.

Cinema saw a period of 'new wave', in britain but more strongly in Paris. A group of French film makers formed the foundations of this, all critiques and all wrote for the Cahiers du Cinema journal which gave Hitchcock his 'auteur' status.

1. Jean-Luc Goddard.
2. Francois Truffaut.
3. Claude Chabrol.
4. Jaques Rivette.
5. Eric Rohmer

'La Pointe Courte' (1955) by Agnes Varda. Was the first film to kick off French new wave.

They came about in the 1950's and 60's. 

1. Against the 'cinema of quality'.
2. discovered American cinema.
3. cinematic rather than literary focus.
4. importance of personal expression.
5. used light-weight cameras and equipment.
6. faster film stock.
7. films shot quickly and cheaply.
8. casual natural look.
9. used available light and sound.
10. Mise-en-scene - french landscape.

Rebellion against films shot in the past and in studios. Agaisnt films that were over contrived and over dramatic for entertainment purposes and special effects.

They celebrated American film noir as it reflected modern urban life. 

Jean-Luc Godard - 'Breathless' 1960.