A Newcomer’s Guide to La Nouvelle Vague: Issue #6
Welcome to the sixth and final issue on the French New Wave film movement. We will discuss topics like the Black Panther Party, adultery, political protests, and more during this final issue, finally concluding our journey through one of the most important and iconic film movements of all time.
La Nuit Américaine / Day for Night
As my last film in the French New Wave series, It is with a heavy heart that I introduce François Truffaut’s 1973 film, La Nuit Américane, or Day for Night in English. Despite my melancholy, the film isn’t actually sad, but rather enjoyable. Day for Night fully shows what It’s like to work on a set and film a full feature-length movie from different perspectives of everybody working on set, such as the actors, the director, the script girl, the props man, and several other employees.
Black Panthers
Agnes Varda’s 1968 documentary titled Black Panthers openly and honestly captured the group’s members and what they stood for within a brief twenty-eight-minutes. This piece also dives into how this 1968 documentary is incredibly relevant in 2020, including discussion on “Black Lives Matter”, “All Lives Matter”, and more.
L’Amour l’après-midi / Love in the Afternoon
In Eric Rohmer’s 1972, L’Amour l’après-midi or Love in the Afternoon, the subject of cheating is approached subtly, but addresses further topics in romantic relationships that are still relevant today.
Tout va bien / Everything is Fine
Jean Luc-Godard started filming Tout va Bien —which translates to “everything is fine”— in 1967, prior to the tumultuous French revolution in May of 1968, highlighting a strong political message through the film’s characters. The title is ironically humorous considering that during May of 1968 in France, everything was not, in fact, fine.
Little Women (2019): An Adaptation Done Right
Director Greta Gerwig’s 2019 Little Women film adaptation is an example of reimagined classic stories done justice – plus, a truly rockstar cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and many more familiar faces. Here on POV, we dive into what Gerwig’s Little Women got so right.
Brooklyn (2015): Home is Where Your Heart is
Brooklyn (2015), based on a novel by Colm Tóibín also titled Brooklyn, is about an Irish girl named Eilis, played by Saoirse Ronan. Ronan’s character travels from Ireland to New York during the 1950s, a time where Irish migration to New York was blooming. Director John Crowley’s take on the film captures the author’s delicate conversations and the actress’ and actors’ performances, creating a rich, romantic period drama that follows not only Eilis’ story, but her heart.
The Social Dilemma (2020): How Do These Social Media Sites Keep You Sucked In?
Oh, the dangers of using social media. The Social Dilemma, a 2020 documentary directed by Jeff Orlowski, shows how social media sites suck you in, only to feed what you want to hear, and prioritizes money over quality content.
Midsommar (2019): A Psychological Thriller Filled with Ritualistic Twists and Mind-Bending Turns
Midsommar is a baffling thriller focused on a distraught twenty-something (played by Florence Pugh) who decides to travel across the country with her boyfriend and his friends in hopes of experiencing a fun trip brimming with culture and history. Instead, the group struggles to survive the psychological terror of living within a cult-like society.
Enola Holmes (2020)
A look at Netflix’s latest play at a “mystery” movie, Enola Holmes (2020) stars Millie Bobby Brown as it’s lead with other notable cast members, but that may be its most memorable takeaway.
The Devil All the Time (2020): A Star-Studded Psychological Crime Melodrama
Based on a novel of the same title by Donald Ray Pollock, The Devil All the Time (2020) directed by Antonio Campus, is the thriller film we have been waiting for this year. Based in rural America, starting from the end of World War II, the film touches on many difficult topics such as suicide, gender oppression, cancer, sexual assault, and toxic religion, starring Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson.
Plein Soleil/Purple Noon
In the 1960’s film Plein Soleil, or in English Purple Noon, directed by René Clément, there is scandal, love, jealousy, and an elaborate murder plan, all presented beautifully in vibrant color. You won’t want to miss a single second, between the close calls and Alain Delon’s stand-out features, there’s so much that the film has to offer.
Working with the Pros in Film 490
Film Studies majors Joe Eichele and Brynn Artley start off the Fall 2020 semester with a report from their documentary production class where students are working with Ambient House Productions.
The Mark of Zorro (1940): Renouncing Economic Inequality
Like the earlier Adventures of Robin Hood, Rouben Mamoulian’s 1940 The Mark of Zorro’s elaborate production, narrative tropes, cultural politics, and action sequences similarly work to renounce economic inequality.
Captain Kidd (1945): Simplicity for Simplicity’s Sake
1945’s Captain Kidd is an often-overlooked swashbuckler adventure film. With its use of characters, comedy, and action it strives to simply tell a thoroughly fun adventure story for simplicity’s sake.
2020: One Week on Campus
Co-Directors Hailey Torborg and Shelbie Carson worked collaboratively with dozens of peers to create 2020: One Week on Campus. With proper social distancing and safety protocols this film captures the life of college students during the pandemic, protests, and politics of fall semester 2020.
What Floats Your Boat
An educational documentary film exploring various woodworking careers at Sanborn Canoe Co. and Merrimack Canoe Company.
Mulan (2020): A Reimagined Legend
The premiere of the highly anticipated Disney live-action, Mulan (2020), is now in the midst of major controversy after falling flat on several different aspects in the eyes of both the public and critics.
The Professor: A Parody of the Bachelor
In this episode of The Professor, emotions run high as students compete for attention and cope with that most dreaded of tasks: the group project. Who will get the “final A”?
From the Oscars: 1917 (2019, dir. Sam Mendes)
1917 is one of the most talked-about films of the year. But besides for the masterful technical work, how does the war film measure up?
From the Oscars: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
An unpredictable film covering the struggle that aging actors faced in the 1960’s, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood employs many of the era’s techniques and invites its viewers to reminisce while foreshadowing the violence that lurks in Hollywood’s shadows.
At the Movies with Noah and Harrison: Dolemite is My Name
Paying homage to the classic Siskel and Ebert review show: At the Movies, Noah Mruz and Harrison McCormick discuss the latest and greatest Eddie Murphy Film.
Review: Hustlers (Lorene Scafaria, 2019)
Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers (2019) brings together a great team of A-List talents, but ultimately, leaves a lot to be desired both its ideological message and its cinematography. In the end, the only thing Hustlers will be hustling is your time and money.
Review: Tall Girl (Nzingha Stewart, 2019)
This cheesy love story will bring viewers back to their high school days with its awkward relationships and confrontation of bullying.
Child’s Play (2019) Review: The New Creepy Chucky for the Younger Generation
Chucky gets his very own remake 31 years later, one with cool effects and creepy surprises, with talents from Mark Hamill and Aubrey Plaza.
Latest posts by (see all)
- A Newcomer’s Guide to La Nouvelle Vague: Issue #6 - December 16, 2020
- La Nuit Américaine / Day for Night - December 16, 2020
- Black Panthers - December 16, 2020