French New Wave (La Nouvelle Vague) cinema emerged in the late 1950s and 1960s, revolutionizing filmmaking with its radical departure from traditional cinematic conventions. Born from a group of young French critics-turned-filmmakers, the movement was spearheaded by figures like François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Éric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol, and Jacques Rivette, many of whom wrote for the influential film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma. Their films were a reaction against the conventional French cinema of the time, which they viewed as stagnant, overly theatrical, and formulaic.

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One of the defining features of the French New Wave was its emphasis on personal expression, which gave rise to the "auteur theory." Filmmakers were seen as the primary creative force behind their works, shaping their films with a unique voice and vision. This approach encouraged experimentation with narrative, form, and style.

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The movement also embraced low-budget filmmaking and spontaneous techniques, often shooting on location with natural light and handheld cameras, giving films a more intimate, raw aesthetic. Many New Wave films broke with traditional storytelling methods, incorporating non-linear narratives, abrupt editing (jump cuts), and self-reflexivity, where the film draws attention to its own nature as a constructed work. Godard’s Breathless (1960) and Truffaut’s The 400 Blows (1959) are key examples of this style.

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Themes of existentialism, personal freedom, alienation, and rebellion against societal norms were common in New Wave films, reflecting the post-World War II disillusionment of the youth. The movement left a lasting impact on global cinema, inspiring filmmakers worldwide to break away from rigid storytelling rules and explore new, innovative ways of visual and narrative expression. Its influence can still be felt in modern independent and experimental filmmaking.

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1. What were the main goals of the French New Wave filmmakers in contrast to traditional French cinema?

2. Who are some of the key directors associated with the French New Wave, and what film magazine were many of them linked to?

3. What is the "auteur theory," and how did it influence the French New Wave?

4. Name two defining stylistic techniques commonly used in French New Wave films.

5. How did French New Wave filmmakers approach filming on a technical level, such as camera use and shooting locations?

6. How did Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless (1960) exemplify French New Wave techniques and themes?

7. What themes commonly appeared in French New Wave films, and how did they reflect the social or political context of the time?

8. In what ways did French New Wave filmmakers challenge traditional narrative structures?

9. How did François Truffaut’s The 400 Blows (1959) reflect the movement’s focus on personal expression and experimentation?

10. What lasting impact did the French New Wave have on global cinema, particularly on independent and experimental films?