Richard Linklater on ‘Nouvelle Vague,’ Trump Tariffs and the French Government’s Support of Film: “The U.S. Could Use a Little Bit of That”

by

At the Cannes press conference for his newest movie, “Nouvelle Vague,” Richard Linklater expressed that after enough time, one could create a film about filmmaking. He stated, “This is my take on it.

New Wave delves into the production process of Jean-Luc Godard’s groundbreaking film, Breathless. This movie was captured on celluloid with a 4:3 aspect ratio and is entirely narrated in French. Guillaume Marbeck portrays Godard, Zoey Deutch embodies Godard’s leading actress Jean Seberg, while Aubry Dullin takes on the role of Jean-Paul Belmondo. In Breathless, a significant piece of the French New Wave cinema, we follow Michel Poiccard (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo), a petty crook evading justice after gunning down a policeman, and his romantic involvement with Patricia Franchini (Jean Seberg), an American student studying journalism in Paris.

A decade ago, I harbored doubts about directing a movie set in the heart of French cinema, being an American director from Austin, Texas. I was convinced it wouldn’t go over well in France. In fact, I thought we would avoid screening it there entirely and focus on international audiences instead. But on Saturday night, during its premiere, my film received a 10-minute standing ovation – one of the most electrifying of this festival so far.

Linklater is most renowned for his conversational movies like the Before trilogy, films such as Dazed and Confused and Boyhood, and his style of realistic movie-making. Previously at the festival with the 2006 sci-fi thriller A Scanner Darkly, Linklater expressed that Breathless held a significant meaning for him as a filmmaker, representing freedom and the idea of personal cinema.

The director commented, “It seemed as though I were a 28-year-old again while crafting this film. I needed to discard my accumulated knowledge and adopt the mindset of my initial filmmaking days. Creating this movie felt like stepping back into the past.

The review in “The Hollywood Reporter” states that although “Nouvelle Vague” isn’t identical to “Breathless,” it is a heartfelt tribute to the chaotic method of creating “Breathless” – an era when films could be made quickly, affordably, and recklessly, yet still manage to revolutionize cinema.

Regarding the potential tariffs on films produced outside the U.S., as debated at the Cannes film market and proposed by President Donald Trump, Linklater expressed skepticism about their implementation. “I don’t think that will actually happen,” he stated. “He seems to change his mind frequently, almost 50 times a day.

Deutch expressed her desire for film production to return to Los Angeles, stating, “It’s delightful to imagine creating more films here, with its rich history, renowned studios, and vibrant culture.” She mentioned that she had recently finished a movie in the city, describing the experience as “enchanting.

As I, a filmmaker like Linklater, wrap up my work on Nouvelle Vague in the heart of France, I’ve got to admit – I’m truly inspired by the dedication and care the French film industry pours into their craft. They nurture their art, ensuring its health and growth. Now, if only our film scene in the U.S. could learn a thing or two from this approach. A dash of that focus and commitment would go a long way!

Read More

2025-05-18 13:54