Post by jdv on Sept 13, 2022 12:26:11 GMT -5
ONE of the first truly independent film directors in the world has died. One of the French "New Wave" directors, Jean-Luc Godard made great films for almost nothing.
Along with directors/film theorists like François Truffaut, André Bazin, and Jacques Demy, Godard was on the fore-front of experimental film that broke all the existing rules at the time, this despite a love of Hollywood narrative films.
Godard's “Breathless,” based on a story by Truffaut, was his first big success when it was released in March 1960. "Alphaville," along with Truffaut's "400 Blows," is perhaps the best example of the style.
Now, most people haven't seen these films, but most directors have - their influence in style, and production technique (small crews, light weight cameras, etc), has influenced everyone from Spielberg to Hitchcock, to tiny independents like me.
In fact, I referenced the French New Wave in the last 2FD when I called THE BLAIR WITCH project a sort of American version of the 400 BLOWS.
While the French New Wave only lasted 10 years (or less), it was perhaps the most important.
Simply put, Godard made making movies cool.
RIP
