The French 'Language' in 3D: Nouvelle Vague Legend Godard Takes on Another Dimension
Let me make this clear: Jean-Luc Godard is my favorite director of all time. There is no close second. So, the prospect of him shooting in 3D immediately altered and matured my view on 3D filmmaking, because, after all, Godard can do no wrong -- even when he does. His latest film Adieu Au Langage (Farewell to Language) was shot in 3D, but perhaps not for the reasons you'd think -- not because it's attractive and popular and cool looking. For Godard, the draw came from it being new enough that it "doesn't have any rules yet."
Fandor caught up with Godard on the set of Adieu Au Langage as well as actor Daniel Ludwig who describes his character simply as "a man who’s angry at his wife because she’s met another man on a park bench." The simplicity of Godard's films and concepts often are a clever ruse to confound viewers later. Ludwig says:
Godard’s screenplay leaves all sorts of other questions open as well. Alongside Sibylline texts and the master’s own handmade collages and images, the screenplay is wildly, chaotically, wonderfully suggestive, an artwork.
So, does the fact that Godard's moving into 3D filmmaking mean that we need more than a "gun and a girl" for a movie? Do we also need the latest equipment? Not exactly. Godard, as well as the other French New Wave filmmakers, made it a point to shoot films that were inexpensive -- using what they had to make what the wanted. However, these filmmakers were also known for their experimentation in film. 3D, save for films like Hugo and The Great Gatsby, has been largely used in action and animation films. It'd be interesting to see what a drama or comedy would look like in the format -- especially shot from Godard's perspective.
This is one of those films that I personally hope succeeds, whether that means winning awards, getting praise from critics, or America experiences an even newer French New Wave. I haven't been able to see even a trailer for this thing (if someone has seen one, hook a sister up,) but there's something to be said about not wanting to see your heroes without their capes.
Godard has always donned his cape -- at least for me. And in the Fandor article, I see he still has not only the super powers of a legendary director, but also the comedic romance he translates into film -- the kind I fell in love with back when I saw Breathless.
As Ludwig describes him, Godard himself in fine shape at 82. At one point, peering into his handheld, Godard takes a step back, loses his balance, and falls backward into the wet grass—but rolls right out of the fall and back up on his feet again “like an aikido warrior.”
Godard plans to premiere the film at next year's Cannes Film Festival, so keep a look out for further updates on his 3D film.
What do you think about Jean-Luc Godard's latest film? Do you think filming it in 3D will help or hinder the project? What is your favorite Godard film? (Mine's Masculine Feminine)
Link: On the Set of Godard's Adieu Au Langage -- Fandor