Written response to Breathless by Amy / Visual Response by Mischa.
Breathless, directed my attention towards French 1960s cinema. The beauty and elegance in the cinematography, when paired with the drama and burdensome ideas about life and death, forms to create a unique and irresistible masterpiece.
Godard’s first full-length feature film Breathless (A Bout de Souffle), allows modern themes that transgress traditional ideals of classic cinema. Breathless, breaks into the Nouvelle Vague genre – a style that was soon to change the direction of modern cinema.
This was my first encounter with this genre, and I believe that it delivered as was intended. Themes of an unorthodox romantic relationship, the role of the woman and death are prominent throughout the film. In spite of the fact that the film was made in 1960, Godard ushered in a new decade for a new generation, which appealed to me for its ground-breaking qualities.
Death and the repercussions of theft chase Michel (Jean-Paul Belmondo) to Paris. He goes to collect money, so that he can leave France, to escape death and imprisonment. Michel meets with Patricia, his girlfriend and hides in her Parisian apartment.
Jean Seberg depicts Patricia, an American journalist that works for the ‘New York Herald Tribune’. Her protagonistic role in the film enables the woman’s voice to be heard, and prioritised. Patricia is not often admired for her beauty, she is instead described as ‘charming’. Michel mentions that he likes Patricia for her charms and interesting personality.
The relationship between Michel and Patricia is lined with misunderstanding and clash of character. This is most clearly shown in the hotel room scene where they talk, smoke and tap into the deeper meanings of life and death. The constant misunderstandings that lie between them represents the impossibility of their love.
What appealed to me most about the film was the stylish perspective that conveyed avant-garde ideas. I really admired the fact that the film was shot in black and white, it communicated the cross-over from the conservative 1950s to the revolutionary 1960s.
Amy
Breathless screened within the Alliance Française Classic Film Festival.
Amy and Mischa attended as guests of the festival.
The festival continues:
-PERTH : 13 – 16 OCTOBER
-MELBOURNE : 4 – 6 NOVEMBER
http://afclassicfilmfestival.org/
