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Technique of Breathless (1961)

Breathless., also know as A Bout de Souffle is a French film that exploded onto the screen with vengeance, violence and lust. The style in which is was shot was much different than the other films being shot at the time. Technology lent a helping hand literally with hand-held cameras being used by the crew. With cameras in tow, they were able to film right on the streets, getting the grit of jumpy action and making use of innovative editing styles.

The Jump-Cut

Jean Luc-Godard plays with the concept of editing by using the jump-cut. A jump cut is where a director will start with an angle shot and then jump to the same or similar one a few seconds later, repeating the action that was just played. A good example of this is when Patricia and Micheal are in the car and it keeps cutting back to the same medium-close-up of her face. The effect of this editing technique is a feeling of boredom or repeated motion, as if the characters are just driving around in circles.

Hand-Held Camera Technique

With the hand-held cameras, the director and production crew no longer had to sit idle behind and direct the different cameras to different angles. The camera became portable and so did the shots they produced. The result was an ability to capture the drama and grittiness of the street. Like this scene, the camera is following behind them, the cameraman is actually walking behind the actors which gives a whole different feel to the action. This kind of camera work could not have been accomplished without the technology available to them.

Themes and Allusions

Jean Luc-Goddard wrote this with François Truffaut, a fellow director of the French New Wave. They explore themes referencing back to Film Noir, especially with the main character looking up to Humphrey Bogart and actually basing his actions on him. For example the signature brushing his lips with his thumb. They expand on the theme of violence and make it suave. The action in the last scene truly sheds light into the impact of this film. It is iconic in its last sequence when Micheal is on the ground. However there is some confusion set forth in the translation of the last words spoken. It is unclear whether Michel is making a statement about how the general world is a “scumbag” or it is just having this comment directed at Patricia. Vital is the official that tell her or possibly lies to her about what he has just said.

In the most common translation, the dialogue is as follows…

MICHEL: It’s a real scumbag.
PATRICIA: What did he say?
VITAL: He said, “You’re a real scumbag”.
PATRICIA: What’s a scumbag?

At the end, Patricia takes on the characteristic of Micheal with the thumb to lip gesture, almost signifying that she understands despite the misinformation Micheal’s feelings before he dies. It is this transfer of characteristics that shows that the couple continues to hold their bond beyond all odds.

Breathless is a truly groundbreaking film and one of editing mastery and visual delight that should not be missed.

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