NOUVELLE VAGUE (2025) Zoey Deutch - Trailer, Plot, Cast, Release Date & additional details

Nouvelle Vague (2025) is a black-and-white drama directed by Richard Linklater, which premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2025, in the Official Competition, competing for the Palme d'Or. Below are detailed aspects of the film, including plot, cast, release date, and more, based on available information.

Plot

Nouvelle Vague is a fictionalized depiction of the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s seminal 1960 French New Wave film Breathless (À bout de souffle). Set in 1960s Paris, it captures the chaotic, improvisational energy of the French New Wave movement, focusing on a young, ambitious Jean-Luc Godard as he navigates the challenges of directing his debut feature. The story explores Godard’s audacious vision, his struggles with producer Georges de Beauregard, and his collaboration with actors like Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo, whose performances in Breathless became iconic. The film weaves a meta-narrative, blending historical accuracy with cinematic homage, using techniques like jump cuts, handheld camerawork, and philosophical dialogue to mirror the revolutionary style of the New Wave. It’s both a love letter to the era’s cinematic innovation and a dramatization of the creative passion, risk-taking, and chaos behind Breathless’s production.

Cast

• Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Godard: Portrays the young, visionary director known for his bold, unorthodox filmmaking approach.
• Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg: Plays the American actress whose role in Breathless defined her career, capturing her charisma and vulnerability.
• Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo: Depicts the French actor whose cool, rebellious persona became a hallmark of the New Wave.
• Additional cast members include actors playing key figures like producer Georges de Beauregard and other members of the Breathless crew, though specific names for these roles are not fully detailed in available sources.

Director and Key Crew

• Director: Richard Linklater, known for Boyhood and Before Sunrise, brings his cinephile sensibilities to this project, channeling his love for the French New Wave.
• Writers: Holly Gent, Laetitia Masson, and Vincent Palmo Jr., crafting a script that balances historical context with creative storytelling.
• Cinematographer: David Chambille, whose work (notably with Bruno Dumont) lends the film its authentic, gritty 1960s aesthetic, shot in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio to evoke the era.
• Production: The film is a co-production with a focus on recreating the period’s look and feel, with meticulous attention to the visual and editing styles of Breathless.

Release Date

• Premiere: May 17, 2025, at the Cannes Film Festival.
• Theatrical Release: Releasing in France on October 8 2025.

Reception at Cannes

The premiere was a highlight of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marked by a festive atmosphere with Linklater and Zoey Deutch singing and dancing on the red carpet. The screening earned a reported 11-minute standing ovation (some sources note 6½ minutes), reflecting strong audience approval. Quentin Tarantino’s presence, watching the film twice in one day, added to its buzz. Critics lauded its technical precision in replicating Breathless’s style, praising the performances of Marbeck and Deutch for their authenticity. Reviews called it a “vibrant cinephile’s dream” and a “nostalgic triumph,” though some felt it didn’t match the raw energy of Godard’s original. Opinions were divided, with some seeing it as a masterful tribute and others finding it less groundbreaking.

Additional Details

• Style and Tone: Shot in black-and-white, the film uses New Wave hallmarks like jump cuts, natural lighting, and improvisational dialogue to immerse viewers in the 1960s Parisian art scene. It’s described as both a historical drama and a meta-commentary on filmmaking.
• Runtime: Not explicitly stated in sources, but festival films of this nature typically range from 90 to 120 minutes.
• Language: Primarily English, with French elements to reflect the Parisian setting and Godard’s milieu.
• Awards Potential: Its Cannes premiere and strong reception position it as a contender for awards, including the Palme d’Or, though no wins are confirmed as of May 21, 2025.