What is meant by the cinematic term French New Wave? A film movement which emerged in 1958 up until the late 1960s, which was characterised by its rejection of traditional/mainstream filmmaking. Many directors who played a part in this movement started out as film critics for Cahiers Du Cinéma – a French magazine – which encouraged experimentation and innovation. Pulling away from studio success and control, directors become the most credited for the films success (auteur theory). Often they were low budget projects due to the aftermath of World War 2, lack of resources and money.
What specific stylistic and structural elements are present in French New Wave films? The stylistic and structural elements included narrations, breaking-the-fourth-wall, non-linear storylines, music to shift emotion, tone and to create a distinctive aesthetic. Using locations to film instead of built sets, natural lighting which allowed the camera to move 360 degrees. Handheld camera which gave a documentary-esque style, jump cuts – a ‘fractured’ style of editing – sometimes used non-actors, often improvising dialogue and movements. Democratisation of cinema: it was all fair, anyone could be a filmmaker.
Which directors and films from the French New Wave influenced Arthur Penn as he was making Bonnie and Clyde? Why? The directors François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard heavily influenced Penn when he was making Bonnie and Clyde – they were even approached by writers, Robert Benton and David Newman about directing the film, yet they turned it down. Two films by Truffaut influenced Penn when he was making Bonnie and Clyde: Shoot The Pianist (1960) and Jules et Jim (1962).
Their influence could’ve partly been to do with the fact that screenplay writers, Newman and Benton were French New wave fanatics. Also, the theme associated with French New Wave films was that they broke away from traditional norms; the story of Bonnie and Clyde is about two lovers who committed robberies, burglaries and murders, straying away from the traditional American law-abiding citizens, as well as their relationship dynamic which was tumultuous.
Identify at least 3 scenes from Bonnie and Clyde where stylistic links are created with French New Wave cinema and say why this was the case.
