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French New Wave

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French New Wave – 1958 to 1960s

  • When American director took ideas and inspired by from French film makers. French New wave filmmakers explored new approaches to editing, visual style, and narrative, as well as the engagement with the social and political upheavals of the era. The movement was characterised by its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions in favour of experimentation and a spirit of iconoclasm. Rejection of mainstream or old Hollywood film conventions. Working with low budgets as they are working with the end of WW2
  • Specific stylistic and structure Elements:
    – The auteur style – The auteur theory holds that the director is the “author” of their movies, with a personal signature visible from film to film.
    – Low Budget – natural lighting used, and natural set design using the most of the surroundings near by. There was many tight budgeting in the 1950s – 1960s when filmmaking so on location sets meant that the filmmakers are spending less money.
    – visual style – The cinematic stylings of the French New Wave brought a fresh look to the cinema with improvised dialogue, rapid changes of scene, and shots that broke the common 180 degrees axis of camera movement. In many films of the French – New Wave, the camera was used not to mesmerize the audience with elaborate narrative and illusory images, but rather to play with audience expectations. They used hand held camera which makes it feel like its a documentary style.
    – Experimentation – The French New wave is characterised by its innovative techniques, bold experimentation, and rejection of traditional cinema conventions. Directors employed unconventional editing techniques such as jump cuts and discontinuous narratives, creating a sense of spontaneity and subjectivity in their films.
  • Directors and Films from the French New wave that influenced Arthur Penn as he was making Bonnie and Clyde ?
    – Jump cuts used inspired by the French New wave directors like Jean-LucGdard and Francois Truffaut show Penn’s film school background. Use of the bluegrass song foggy Mountain Breakdown by Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt keeps the tone light during crime scenes lending a comedic tone to some moments. Bonnie and Clyde used a lot of music which was a lot of Banjo music
  • Three moment from Bonnie and Clyde that depict the French New Wave?
    – The opening credits, depicting period photographs accompanied by the sound of the camera clicks suggestive of gun shots.
    – The films boldly original framing, employing windows, glass and mirrors as recurring visual motifs.
New Hollywood

New Hollywood

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New Hollywood – It was a movement in American film history from the mid – 1960s to the early 1980s, when a new generation of filmmakers came to prominence. They influenced the types of film produced, their production and marketing and the way the major studios approached filmmaking.

Four films from New Hollywood


– Bonnie and Clyde

– The graduate


– Rosemary’s Baby


– Night of the Living Dead

Four Directors from New Hollywood

– Steven Spielberg


– John Milius


– Christopher Nolan


– Martin Scorsese


Four Stars from New Hollywood

– Max Von Sydow


– Shelley Winters


– Walter Matthau


– Robert Shaw

What events where taking place in America and elsewhere in the world around the period identified as the New Hollywood Era of cinema ?
The civils Right movement – equal rights for African Americans and for an end to racial segregation and exclusion , and the escalation of the Vietnam war.

New Hollywood Style

  • How did New Hollywood directors like Penn approach film narrative?
    – Filmmakers of the New Hollywood era embraced innovative and experimental visual style. The use of Handheld camera, unconventional angles and naturalistic lighting contributed to the immersive and authentic feel of the film, which made visual storytelling a crucial aspect of the new wave film.
  • What is discontinuity editing?
    – when the audience visually notices a cut, because something about the cut calls attention to itself and it does not feel natural or seamless.
  • The rise of the Auteurs in Hollywood?
    – New Hollywood is often known as the rise of the Auteurs as it as the beginning of when many films where being made by the same directors which meant you could tell the visual style and the differences in the directors. “It was a rallying cry for director as artists to say ” we can influence what these movies are.”
  • What is the lasting impact of the New Hollywood style of modern films?
    – While the era eventually gave way to the blockbuster-dominated landscape of the 1980s, its impact on filmmaking techniques, narrative structures, and thematic exploration remains profound. The New Hollywood movement demonstrated that commercially successful films could also be artistically daring and socially relevant.
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Bonnie and Clyde first response

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Rating 8/10

I really enjoyed this film, i think the cinematography is unique to previous stuff i have seen before. I think the love story combined to the gangster aspect was setting a path for a new sub-genre of two partners in crime being lovers. A scene that sticks out to me is the opening scene of the film, I think the way Penn camera moved and follows Bonnie’s actions is seamless and a unique shot.

Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde First response

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Critical score: 8/10

I enjoyed the film but I think the ending was unnecessarily graphic as we watch Bonnie and Clyde get aggressively shot without dying instantly as we see Clyde roll over in agony and Bonnie’s body fall out the car. However apart from this I enjoyed the film as it caused continuous apprehension to if they would survive another close encounter.

Stand out scene: I selected this scene where Bonnie attempts to leave Clyde and the other criminals but he chases her and they reunite in a field. This scene stands out to me as, for me it is the most prominent display of emotion from Clyde towards Bonnie as he is put in a position where he could have to continue alone and how he’d struggle. I also like the angle of this shot as due to the low angle tilting upwards we perceive Clyde in a more vulnerable position highlighting his care for Bonnie

French New wave

French new wave

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What is meant by the cinematic term French New Wave?

A film movement that began in 1958 and lasted into the late 1960s, known for its change in conventional filmmaking techniques. Many of the directors involved in this movement began as film critics for Cahiers Du Cinema, a French magazine that promoted new ideas through experimentation and innovation. It was a rejection of mainstream cinema and old Hollywood, a youthful movement driven by young people who were passionate about film overall. Preference for directors to be the artistic driving force and be credited rather then the studio and stars.

What specific stylistic and structural elements are present in French New Wave films?

French New Wave films often utilized natural light, used actors with less experience, improvisation, voice overs (non-diegetic) and real locations. This was a result of the low-budget nature of the films in addition to creating a strong feel of realism. For technique, handheld cameras contributed to the distinctive, more naturalistic style of these films as well as giving a doctumentryesque aesthetic. Jump cuts, often used by Jean-Luc Godard, became a distinct reflection of the movement, leading other filmmakers to challenge conventional filmmaking methods, and breaking through into mainstream cinema while working with low budgets and being restrained by the limited amount of money available to them. Democratisation style of cinema, allowing anyone to be a film-maker and create films.

Which directors and films from the French New Wave influenced Arthur Penn as he was making Bonnie and Clyde?

Directors François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard had a large impact on Arthur Penn throughout the making of Bonnie and Clyde. Originally, writers Robert Benton and David Newman initially approached them to direct the film, however they declined. Two of Truffaut’s films, Shoot the Pianist (1960) and Jules et Jim (1962), were particularly influential on Penn throughout production. French New Wave films were known for breaking traditional cinematic rules, Bonnie and Clyde echoed this by portraying two lovers who committed crimes consisting of robbery, burglary, and murder, stepping away from the usual depiction and representation of law-abiding American citizens. The turbulent nature of their relationship also reflected the movement’s shift from conventional storytelling. Bonnie and Clyde was a character study, historically based but far from historically accurate. Music was prominent in the scenes of their escapes in the van, this music was fast-paced banjo music (bluegrass music). It brings a comedic element to these dramatic scenes.

Identify 3 scenes from Bonnie and Clyde where stylistic links are created with French new wave cinema, explaining why this was the case

Location filming is often used in Bonnie and Clyde, embracing the French new wave style of filmmaking as it relies less on studios to create film but rather real places to create the set of the film.

Natural lighting is common in Bonnie and Clyde, as the normal sunlight is most prominent, this gives the film a more naturalistic look. This links to the French new wave as the natural light enhances the classic low-budget nature of the French new wave.

Jump cuts were seen as a trademark of the French new wave era, they were well used in Bonnie and Clyde especially before their deaths at the end of the film. The camera jumps from close-up shots of Bonnie and then to Clyde of them looking at each other and then to the police ready to shoot them, as well as some scenery shots leading into their separate deaths. By using jump cuts, it creates a tense atmosphere and dramatize their deaths.

The influence of French new wave

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NEW HOLLYWOOD/INFLUENCE OF FRENCH NEW WAVE

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What is meant by “New Hollywood” New Hollywood, also known as the American New Wave, refers to the innovative movement in American film history during the late 1960s to early 1980s where young filmmakers gained creative control, emphasizing narrative style, and realism. 

The Hollywood studio system started declining when TVs became more prominent and popular in American households. The habit of going to the cinema once a week was being broken because of at home entertainment. The film Cleopatra was a big flop, 20th century fox lost a lot of profit because of this film, which weakened young people’s confidence in the current studios. Young people found entertainment in French NewWave cinema, which was on topic for their generation and more experimental.  

1. The Graduate (director) mike Nichols, melodrama, romance 1967 

2. Midnight Cowboy (director) John Schlesinger, drama 1969 

3. The Wild Bunch (director) Sam Peckinpah, western adventure 1969 

4. Easy Rider: (director) Dennis Hopper, road adventure 1969 

He establishment had lost its audience and not addressed them, leading to films like the graduate and easy rider being made.  

Disgraced politician  RICHARD NIXON. Watergate revolved around members of a group associated with Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign breaking into and planting listening devices in the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 1972,   

Vietnam war, proxy war America tried to stop the spread of communism through the Vietcong. Protests all over America rose which led to violence around the country.  

In the ghettos black Americans started protesting because of racial discrimination.  

RFK and MLK get shot weeks apart in the late 1960s  

What is meant by the cinematic term French New Wave– The term French New Wave comes from the French film movement which was incredibly self-aware and rejected the traditional styles of classical filmmaking, leading to an experimental era of film, which notably influenced American filmmaking styles for years to come. 50s-60s. Working with a low budget because of post ww2 France.

•What specific stylistic and structural elements are present in French New Wave Films?

  • Deemphasized plot & dialogue was often improvised
  • Jump cuts rather than continuity editing
  • Location shooting
  • Handheld cameras- Gives a documentary style
  • Long takes
  • Direct sound & available light (live recordings, often didn’t adjust light)

•Which directors and films from the French New Wave influenced Arthur Penn as he was making Bonnie and Clyde? Why do you think this was the case?  François Truffaut inspired Arthur Penn, particularly with his film Jules Et Jim which was a 1962 French new wave film- this film challenged the gender ideals of men and women which could also be seen in Bonnie and Clyde 1967 while also utilising voiceovers, snappy editing and fast pacing to show the newer European era of cinema.

•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. In the opening scene of Bonnie and Clyde we can see an extreme close-up shot of Bonnie which breaks the traditional style of the classic establishing shot. The multiple jump cuts of Bonnie in the first scene creatively showcase the influence of snappy fast paced editing that French directors started to use in this era. The use of jump cuts speed up the pace of the film which was enjoyable for younger generations of America and Europe.

Another notable scene in Bonnie and Clyde which showcased the French new wave influence was the famous death scene. Penn ends this film with a cut to black to show that his characters were dead and gone. There was no tidying up the end of the story or hopeful resolutions which was a direct steer away from the traditional classical Hollywood style. There was an abundance of violence in this scene, it was bloody and chaotic. Penn’s use of violence shows the move away from the Hayes code which limited violence and crude acts. This showcase of violence was an allegory for the Vietnam war which acts were dutifully hidden from the Americans at home. The ending of Bonnie and Clyde ushered ideas that criminals might be loveable, adding to the idea that violence could be art.

Lastly, when bonnie meets her family, and then cuts to her running through the field this scene is another notable example of the break away from the classical Hollywood style which always made the effort to frame the characters. The handheld shaky camera shows the influence of a documentary style of filmmaking which made its way over from France during this era. A filter is used in this scene which creatives a dream-like atmosphere which connotes a life that Bonnie could have lived if her life was not corrupted by crime. This also subverts from the technical rules followed by directors in classical Hollywood who did not experiment with filters and colour (post 1927).

1.How did New Hollywood directors like Penn approach film narratives? Penn abandoned the traditional “prude” style of filmmaking commonly used by directors in the classical era who were under the Hayes code. Penn used brutal violence, sexual innuendos, and casual humour in Bonnie and Clyde specifically to show the change from traditional Hollywood to the new Hollywood.

2.What is discontinuity editing? discontinuity editing is an editing style that is the opposite of classical editing. In a discontinuous sequence, the filmmaker will deliberately use an arrangement of shots that seem out of place or confusing relative to a traditional narrative. There’s no smooth or logical flow to the shots as they are edited together. This can seem disorienting or ambiguous, but it is used to demand participation on the part of the audience to engage in the intention of the plot

A great example of discontinuity editing is the famous (and favourite of mine) ritual/killing of colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now. The disorientating cuts between Willard and the ritual show the morality and differences between the American soldiers compared to the Cambodian tribe, ultimately showing the death, killing, and violence takes shape in every culture, but is perceived differently as to reason of cause. To further explain this… Willard has been sent on a mission by the American government to kill Kurtz for his actions with the Cambodian tribe. Willard began his journey travelling up the Cambodian river from Vietnam, he starts with American ideals of patriotism which is paired with continuity editing. Slowly as he gets closer to Kurtz leading him to the ritual scene, discontinuity editing takes over showing Willard’s loss of morality as he begins to take the place of Kurtz, falling into ideals of animalistic killing shown through the water buffalo killing (which was a very real water Buffalo being killed)

3.Why is this time in film production sometimes referred to as “The Rise of the Auteurs” in Hollywood? in “Old Hollywood” many actors, producers and studios were credited as the main workers on a film and given the spotlight. Once the French new wave era started many thought that the directors or the “Auteurs” should be credited as the storytellers of the film. The directors started to be seen as the creative driving force.

4.What is the lasting impact of the New Hollywood style on modern films? We can see the lasting impact of the French new Wave era in films today, With projects like Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis (2024) which used experimental editing with aspect ratio. Or we could go back to 1994 to see Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction which creatively used discontinuity editing to piece together multiple storylines into one. Martin Scorsese also used many French New Wave influences in his films like Casino which used snappy jump cuts to showcase the rise of Ace Goldstein’s casino.

Bonnie and Clyde, French New wave, New Hollywood

French New Wave

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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.

This scene pans over to Bonnie’s reflection in the mirror from her lips using a handheld camera.
During the opening sequence we’re shown Bonnie in her bedroom, there are multiple shots of her spliced together in a rather fractured style – one moment she’s still the next she’s hitting the bed frame with her fist.
Natural lighting is used in this scene as they are on location, downtown Texas.
Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie & Clyde first response

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first response

I decided to give this film an 8/10 because I really enjoyed the storyline, plot and love arc between Bonnie and Clyde as their relationship was emotional from when they met to when they died. Not only this but the rest of the characters were unique and entertaining but also humorous at times. The overall acting of the characters was powerful and raw, though the film was really violent at times making it a bit harder to watch. I also enjoyed the fact that the film was shot in colour rather than black and white as it personally made it more enjoyable and entertaining to watch.

memorable scene

In my opinion, the most memorable scene was the field scene with Bonnie & Clyde after Bonnie tries running away. Not only does this scene have beautiful cinematography and colouring making it pretty to look at but the acting from both actors was emotional and powerful especially as this is the first scene where we are fully exposed to Clyde’s true feelings towards Bonnie making it even more memorable.

Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde First Response Task

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Bonnie and Clyde (Arthur Penn, 1967) Critical Score-  6.5/10  Memorable Scene   

For me the most memorable scene was the scene at the lake where Bonnie, Clyde and the rest of their group confront the sheriff. This is because it shows their characters very well and it establishes their group all together as a mischievous group of criminals for the first time. It is also a clumsy scene, so it shows Bonnie and Clyde’s inexperience but also their evilness.            
Bonnie and Clyde, New Hollywood

New Hollywood/Bonnie & Clyde 1st response

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What is meant by the term New Hollywood? (Consider how this links to the decline of the Hollywood Studio System of the Golden Age) New Hollywood refers to the shift in habits amongst Americans in the early 1960s, television took away audiences from cinemas.

Name some of the films, directors and stars from this period. Cleopatra (1963, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz– the release of this film coincided with the collapse of the studio system), Easy Rider (1969, directed by Dennis Hopper), Carnival Of Souls (1962, directed by Herk Harvey), The Godfather(1972, directed by Francis Ford Coppola). Some stars included: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster.

What events were taking place in America around the period identified as the New Hollywood era of cinema?  The New Hollywood era of cinema spanned from the mid-1960s to the 1980s, and within that time frame America endured: Three assassinations on public figures, John. F. Kennedy (1963), Martin Luther King Jr. (1968), and Malcom X (1965). In 1959, through till 1973, America was involved in the Vietnam war, soldiers were fighting in Vietnam whilst American citizens protested against the war (1966, White House protests) because Americans wanted to halt the spread of communism from soviet powers. President, Richard Nixon’s, Watergate Scandal from 1972 until his resignation in 1974. The Civil Rights movement which aimed to abolish legalised racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement in the country (1954-1968).

How did New Hollywood directors like Penn approach film narratives? Many directors, such as Arthur Penn, approached film narratives with an ‘anti-establishment’ point of view, meaning that they went against the established norms for Americans and how they should behave. This typically involved ‘outsider’ characters and the pursuit of freedom which laid outside of societal norms; this was reflected in the real world with protests, riots, and movements.

What is discontinuity editing? A noticeable cut in a sequence which grabs the audience’s attention due to its unnatural and ridged nature. This jump cut technique is typically used to indicate a significant jump in time.

Why is this time in film production sometimes referred to as “The Rise Of The Auteurs” in Hollywood? A lot of the biggest names in Hollywood today gained notoriety during this time period, to mention a few: Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorcese. Unlike Old Hollywood, where the actors in a film created excitement around a film, this era shone the spotlight on the directors behind the films – a result of this was films being recognised for their ‘auteur style’.

What was the lasting impact of the New Hollywood style on modern films? The New Hollywood style left its mark on the film industry by allowing and encouraging director-driven creativity and experimentation.

Initial Rating – 5/10

Favourite moment – A moment which stands out to me the most is when they take pictures together with Clyde’s brother, Buck Barrow, and his wife Blanche. This stood out to me the most as Blanche seems to represent the ideals and morals of old Hollywood films, as well as, American society during the 1900s-1950s – as a woman she is defined by her husband and is almost docile. In the pictures, Blanche takes one with her husband whereas Bonnie, who stands for the second wave, feminist movement during the 1960s, poses alone with a cigar and a pistol.