Cannes Festival Celebrates Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague

Cannes Festival Celebrates Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague

The Cannes Film Festival has once again showcased its affinity for films that pay homage to its illustrious traditions and history, with Richard Linklater’s latest film, Nouvelle Vague, taking center stage. This narrative plugin provides a charismatic glimpse into the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s iconic film, Breathless (1960), an essential piece of cinema that played a pivotal role in the French New Wave movement.

Upon returning from the vibrant festival, the experience is a whirlwind of cinema related activities, including hours dedicated to watching numerous films and ample time spent queuing. Cannes, with its eclectic offerings, often presents curious contrasts, like a launch party for an austere Romanian film occurring on the deck of a yacht owned by a billionaire. Each year, the festival serves as a microcosm of the film industry, showcasing polarisations that illuminate the complex nature of cinema.

Cannes embraces films that feature the festival itself or reference its iconic location. Historically, including a nod to Cannes in a film has often enhanced selection chances for filmmakers aiming for the coveted spotlight at the festival. For instance, the peculiar Grace of Monaco (2014) made a notable appearance, while last year’s opening film featured characters revering the festival with verbal tributes.

This year, Nouvelle Vague brings to life a spirited account of Godard’s filmmaking process, amidst the backdrop of postwar Paris, embodied by the allure of bistros and vibrant storytelling. In a humorous twist, one scene depicts Godard, portrayed compellingly by newcomer Guillaume Marbeck, resorting to old-school tactics—raiding the film's budget to fund an impromptu trip to Cannes.

The recent passing of Godard in September 2022 leaves much speculation about his potential curiosity or disdain for Linklater's interpretation. His earlier film, Redoubtable (2019), was met with contempt from Godard himself—a reminder of the sometimes contentious relationship artists have with their counterparts. This indicates that, in film, the boundaries of interpretation are often contentious terrain.

Despite the self-referential nature of Nouvelle Vague, it offers a refreshing mix of levity and substance. Linklater effectively captures the youthful awkwardness of a 29-year-old Godard striving for validation in a competitive arena, filled with both admiration and envy towards contemporaries like Truffaut and Rohmer. He is represented as flawed yet compelling—a common trait among emerging artists.

In contrast to another Cannes competitor, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, Linklater’s work is presented with a distinct charm. In Trier’s film, the character Gustav Borg is a domineering figure whose artistic contributions remained unquestioned, overshadowing the complex familial relationships at play. While crafted with skill, it still resonates with traditional themes of the male artist's struggles.

What stands out about Nouvelle Vague is its frank exploration of the filmmaking process. It suggests that creativity is far from glamorous, often a spontaneous mix of desperation and chance. Linklater encapsulates the chaos of production, with Godard candidly acknowledging the unpredictability of creation—highlighting that not every artistic endeavor is brilliant and, in fact, many are borne out of insecurities and spontaneous decisions.

The Cannes environment is a unique blend of fresh talent and established icons. While the elite grace the red carpet, fresh faces distribute business cards in the hopes of recognition. Dreams of cinematic legacy abound, but only time will tell which voices will endure and shape the future of film.

Nouvelle Vague is currently waiting for UK distribution. However, the film has already garnered a significant following with its acquisition by Netflix, ensuring its visibility amid the shifting landscape of film distribution.