A Double Win at Cannes: Jury Prize and the "Palme Dog"

Over half a century ago, in an era when studio shoots were the norm, Jean-Luc Godard revolutionized cinema with "Breathless" (1959), taking his camera outdoors to capture the city's atmosphere directly onto the screen, ushering in the "Nouvelle Vague" (New Wave).

Now 84 years old, the master's latest challenge is "Goodbye to Language," an exploration of 3D as "art cinema." Unbound by existing methods, this ambitious work, from a director who has always led the film world with innovative expression and declared he is "always making my debut film," pours the charm of 3D into cinema.

This film received the Jury Prize at the 201467th Cannes Film Festival, and additionally, the "Palme Dog" Special Jury Prize was awarded to Godard's partner Anne-Marie Miéville's dog, Roxy, who also appears in the film. Furthermore, it impressively won Best Film at the 49th National Society of Film Critics Awards in 2015.

The filming was conducted by a small crew of just three: director Godard, cinematographer Fabrice Aragno, and production manager Jean-Paul Battaggia. For 3D filming, they constructed a custom rig by mounting two Canon digital cameras side-by-side. Combined with Leica lenses, they achieved artistic color tones and 3D effects. Godard himself also handled the editing.

A Man and a Woman Meet Again

But the husband ruins everything, and the second act begins.

Through 3D, the relationship between "man and woman" gains tension, the dog roams freely across the screen, and "words" are woven in three dimensions.

"Goodbye to Language," which playfully transforms 3D by presenting different images to each eye, can be seen as the culmination of the solitary artist Godard. His passion for filmmaking remains undimmed.

"Goodbye to Language"

Nationwide release starting Saturday, January 31st, at Cine Switch Ginza and other theaters.

Directed, Edited, and Screenplay by Jean-Luc Godard

Starring: Éloïse Godefroy, Kamel Abderi, Richard Chevalier, Zoé Bruneau

Distribution: Comstock Group

2014 / France / 69 min / Original Title: Adieu au Langage 3D

http://godard3d.com/

© 2014 Alain Sarde - Wild Bunch