The left bank groups approach to filmmaking shared progressive political learnings and documentarian pasts, they saw cinema like any other art such as literature and plastic arts. Left bank directors include, Varda, Resnais, Marker, Colpi and Demy.

The right bank group was the more popular and financially successful group of directors. This bank is in favour of experimentation and realism. Some directors include Godard, Truffaut, Rohmer, Chabrol and Rivette.