JEAN-LUC GODARD
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBBBB.
Original title: A Bout De Souffle
France, 1960. Les Films Impéria, Les Productions Georges de Beauregard, Societe Nouvelle de Cinematographie. Story by Francois Truffaut, Screenplay by Jean-Luc Godard. Cinematography by Raoul Coutard. Produced by Georges de Beauregard. Music by Martial Solal. Production Design by Clement Hurel. Film Editing by Cecile Decugis.
Jean-Luc Godard captured the world’s attention with this stunning New Wave masterpiece, featuring a level of energy and excitement that he would rarely recoup in his career. Jean-Paul Belmondo and ex-patriate American actress Jean Seberg became ageless icons playing a small-time grifter and a newspaper seller, respectively, who become friends on the streets of Paris and trail around together in a series of accidental adventures. The black-and-white photography is still crisp and evocative, the dialogue and camera angles still exciting and new. Do not pass up the opportunity to watch this pioneering film by a master director.
The Criterion Collection: #408
Berlin Film Festival Award: Best Director (Jean-Luc Godard)