The Revolution Begins

The New Wave emerged from a group of young critics writing for Cahiers du Cinéma who decided to pick up cameras and make films their way. François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Jacques Rivette, Éric Rohmer, and Claude Chabrol rejected the "Tradition of Quality"—the polished, literary adaptations that dominated French cinema. They wanted something rawer, more personal, more alive.

For actors, this meant a complete reimagining of their craft. Gone were the elaborate sets, careful lighting, and multiple takes of traditional productions. New Wave directors often shot on location with natural light, small crews, and minimal budgets. They demanded spontaneity, naturalism, and a willingness to blur the lines between actor and character.