French new wave characteristics

https://vimeo.com/94168257

Anti-authoritative Characters

Long Take

Jump Cut

Improvised Dialogue

Mise-en-scene The director Jean-Luc Godard did fully use mise-en-scene in My Life To Live. The film begins with a quote of Montaigne “lend yourself to others but give yourself to yourself.” Nana can lend her soul to others but she keeps herself to herself and this is why the back of her always dominates the image of this film. We see her but we can never fully know her as she is reluctant to reveal her thoughts and feelings.

Auteur Theory (Authorship) The camera is the pen for the directors to describe their own visions and life experiences using the camera. Realism is used to motivate the narrative. For example, The 400 Blows (Francois Truffaut, 1959) is a semi-autobiographical film which reflects Truffaut’s and his friend’s childhood lives. 

Self-reflexivity Self-reflexivity reminds audience that they are watching a film. The 400 Blows (Francois Truffaut, 1959) displays self-reflexivity when Antoine is having his psychiatric interview. The interviewer is never seen and Antoine seems to speak directly to the camera. 

Location Shooting

Handheld Camera

Create an original or emulation image and sound film (1 to 3 minute) based on the French New Wave films.