La nouvelle vague: in the realm of Godard's vision
Cinematic flapper
Anna Nguyen
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Lifestyles
I was at the Arsaga's Espresso Bar inside the public library, waiting for my café viennese. Behind me were two ladies speaking in lush, deep tones of the French language. They were discussing literature, I assume, as they were both holding novels and would occasionally point at certain texts.
Endearing voices that spoke the charming French language. I had become mesmerized with such voices while sitting at cafes in Paris, sans company, enjoying my coffee and Lucky Strikes. It didn't matter if I wasn't able to understand everything. I liked the noises of the conversations floating around along with the smoke, blending in with the modern jazz music. Infinite conversations, as the table arrangements were in close proximity to each other. I heard about 20 different conversations, I imagined, as I drank my café au lait.
Nostalgia. I couldn't get enough of hearing this foreign language. French films. I'd entertain myself with French films, I decided. Not a depressingly beautiful film that spoke of Elle editor-in-chief Jean-Dominique Bauby or of Edith Piaf's tumultuous life. The films of Jean-Luc Godard, a leading director of the French New Wave cinema known for his luscious cinematography, were ideal. Pretty films, fun humor and great music are my prerequisites for an enjoyable film.
"Le Gai Savoir" ("Joy of Learning"), a random selection made in haste. A political film, it turned out to be. I watched it in a filthy mood, the material not suiting my mood for the evening. Perhaps I'd have enjoyed it more had I been in a patient disposition. Unfortunately, I was not that night. I returned it the next day, and continued my quest to find a fun Godard film. I was at the end of the foreign film section and located "Une femme est une femme." Next to it was another Godard film, "Weekend." The cover features two well-dressed dames. The lady on the right was threatening the other with a rifle. An interesting image. It certainly grabbed my attention immediately. I took both.
Endearing voices that spoke the charming French language. I had become mesmerized with such voices while sitting at cafes in Paris, sans company, enjoying my coffee and Lucky Strikes. It didn't matter if I wasn't able to understand everything. I liked the noises of the conversations floating around along with the smoke, blending in with the modern jazz music. Infinite conversations, as the table arrangements were in close proximity to each other. I heard about 20 different conversations, I imagined, as I drank my café au lait.
Nostalgia. I couldn't get enough of hearing this foreign language. French films. I'd entertain myself with French films, I decided. Not a depressingly beautiful film that spoke of Elle editor-in-chief Jean-Dominique Bauby or of Edith Piaf's tumultuous life. The films of Jean-Luc Godard, a leading director of the French New Wave cinema known for his luscious cinematography, were ideal. Pretty films, fun humor and great music are my prerequisites for an enjoyable film.
"Le Gai Savoir" ("Joy of Learning"), a random selection made in haste. A political film, it turned out to be. I watched it in a filthy mood, the material not suiting my mood for the evening. Perhaps I'd have enjoyed it more had I been in a patient disposition. Unfortunately, I was not that night. I returned it the next day, and continued my quest to find a fun Godard film. I was at the end of the foreign film section and located "Une femme est une femme." Next to it was another Godard film, "Weekend." The cover features two well-dressed dames. The lady on the right was threatening the other with a rifle. An interesting image. It certainly grabbed my attention immediately. I took both.
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