Richard Linklater Releases Nouvelle Vague Homage to Godard's Breathless at TIFF

Richard Linklater's film "Nouvelle Vague" is a vivid and affectionate recreation of the making of Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 debut feature "Breathless," which revolutionized cinema through its unconventional narrative and style. The film portrays Godard, played by Guillaume Marbeck, as a charismatic and somewhat roguish character, capturing his artistic process and ambitions during a formative period in French New Wave cinema. Unlike Godard's original guerrilla filmmaking approach, Linklater's film is a polished, reverential homage that employs a full crew and special effects to recreate 1960s Paris, presenting a more accessible and linear narrative. The movie emphasizes the spirit of creativity and rebellion that defined the New Wave movement, highlighting the influence of Godard and his contemporaries who transitioned from film critics to groundbreaking directors. While maintaining a lightness and charm, "Nouvelle Vague" offers cinephiles and general audiences alike a window into the cultural and cinematic upheaval that reshaped filmmaking. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be available in theaters and on Netflix in late 2025.