Recreating the French New Wave: Behind the Scenes of Nouvelle Vague with Zoey Deutch and Aubry Dullin
A decade ago, director Richard Linklater approached Zoey Deutch about playing actress Jean Seberg in a project he had in mind. When the opportunity arose to create Nouvelle Vague, a film about Jean-Luc Godard's production of Breathless, they reunited to bring the French New Wave pioneers to life in Paris, France. The movie captures the experimental filmmaking style of Godard's whirlwind production, staying true to Linklater's hangout genre while exploring the genius of a young man who revolutionized cinema.
In an interview with Collider, Deutch and Aubry Dullin, who portrays Jean-Paul Belmondo in the film, discuss their experience working with Linklater on rehearsals and the meticulous recreation of iconic scenes. They reflect on the joy and freedom of working on a project like this compared to typical studio productions. Dullin shares his audition experience, highlighting the unique opportunity this film provided for his on-screen debut.
Deutch and Dullin delve into the process of recreating the iconic Herald Tribune scene from Breathless, detailing the meticulous preparation and choreography involved in bringing the scene to life. They discuss the challenges of timing and structuring the scene while adding their own interpretation to the dialogue. The dedication to accuracy and creativity in recreating the scene is evident in their behind-the-scenes footage and the making-of documentary created during the shoot.
For Dullin, this film marks his first major role, a surprising opportunity that stemmed from a Facebook post seeking actors resembling Belmondo. Despite initial doubts, Dullin's resemblance to the iconic actor and his natural approach to the audition landed him the role. The experience has been transformative for both actors, with Deutch expressing deep gratitude for the magical journey of making the film.
Nouvelle Vague is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of Godard's Breathless and the creative process of Linklater's homage to the French New Wave.