The French new wave is a French art movement that emerged in the late 1950’s. It rejected traditional film making conventions in favour of experimentation and a spirit of iconoclasm.

There is elements of realism, subjectivity, and authorial commentary

Arthur Penn was inspired by French new wave directors like Jean-Luc Goadard and Francois Truffaut. I think this was the case because he wished to change the style of films at the time.