French New Wave

What is meant by the cinematic term French New Wave?

French New Wave 1958-1960s

New Wave was a film movement from the 50s the movement was known for breaking the traditional filmmaking conventions. The term came from film critics who turned into the leading directors of the era. This was a rejection of classical Hollywood film making

What specific stylistic and structural elements are present in French new wave films?

Directors had a Auteur on each of their films. Previously to this the movie was recognized by the stars or studio which made the film. In the new wave each director took control of their movie and put their own distinctive twist on it.

Selection of music was used that matches the tone of the movie and added emotion at vital moments

Directors had low budgets, however this is what made the movies so creative traditional movie rules were broken such as filming on location and natural light. This made film accessible for everyone to create

As they were filming on location this meant that they often used non professional actors and used people in the location this created a sense of realism.

Film was used a medium to express peoples emotions.

Which directors and films from the French new wave influenced Arthur Penn a he was making bonnie and Clyde? why do you think this was the case?

His main influences were Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard. This was due to their style and knowledge of the new movement. The new movement and especially Jean-Luc Godard gave him the advice and inspiration to create something new. Godard experimented with jump cuts and location work which Penn went on to adapt into his movie in Bonnie and Clyde. The jump cuts where one of the first things which I noticed about Bonnie and Clyde and how it added a frantic pace into the movies nature. Francis Truffaut was best known for Gangster movies with a twist of a love story being involved which Penn used the concept for Bonnie and Clyde.

Jean-Luc Godard-

He was a French Swiss film director who came to prominence with New Wave group in France during the late 1950s and the 60s. He worked as a critic for many years before becoming a director himself. His most notible movies include:

Breathless 1960 – A Crime Drama film

Contempt 1963 – Drama/Melodrama

Pierrot le Fou 1965 – Romance/Crime

Francois Truffaut-

Francois was a French filmmaker, actor and critic, people see him as an icon of the French new wave movement. He was passionate about the Auteur theory and directors should create their own vision of the film. He made many notable films including:

The 400 Blows 1959 – Family/Drama

Jules and Jim 1962 – Romance/Comedy

Stolen Kisses 1968 – Comedy/Drama

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.

Location shooting

All the exterior shots of the movie where filmed on location in Texas, this gives Bonnie and Clyde a good sense of reality. The new wave movement popularized this due to budget they used real locations and natural lighting

Jump cuts

The jump cuts at the beginning of the film are very apparent as bonnie moves around her bedroom, again a style used by the French new wave movement.

Handheld

Some of the shots of the movie are handheld in Bonnie and Clyde which is helpful to achieve angles you couldn’t achieve on the steady cam. French new wave directors used handheld as they were easy to set up and use.

New Hollywood 1960-1990

Bonnie and Clyde, Arthur Penn (American)

What is meant by the term New Hollywood (Link to decline of the Hollywood Studio System)

The term new Hollywood follows the decline of the the old Hollywood era. Tv had slowly become a stable in every American household, this led to the “habit” being broken by going to the cinema every week. The films also being made at this time didn’t resonate with the American people meaning that many “flops” happened for example Cleopatra. Young people also moved to enjoying Foreign films more, as the American studios were out of touch with the interests of the younger generation.

Name some films, directors and stars from this period.

Directors-

Francis Ford Coppola

A American director born in 1939, He has worked on a range of different movies. However he is best known for the Godfather, a series of epic gangster movies.

Martin scorsese

Martin Scorsese born 1942 is an American filmmaker. He emerged as a major figure in the New Hollywood era. He has received multiple awards for his most notable films such as Wolf of Wall Street 2013, Shutter Island 2010 and Killers of the Flower Moon 2023.

George Lucas

A American film director born 1944, he is best known for the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchise.

Steven Spielberg

A filmmaker and a major figure of Hollywood, He is regarded as one of the best directors of all time. He has multiple iconic movies such as Jurassic Park, Schindlers List and War horse.

Films-

The Graduate 1967 Comedy/Drama/Romance