Jean-Luc Godard was a highly influential French-Swiss film director, screenwriter, and critic. He was a leading figure in the French New Wave movement of the 1960s, known for his experimental filmmaking techniques that challenged traditional narrative and cinematic conventions. His innovative use of camerawork, sound, and editing revolutionized filmmaking and left a lasting impact on cinema. Some of his most celebrated films include Breathless, Vivre sa vie, Contempt, and Pierrot le Fou.
1929: Release of Man with a Movie Camera
Dziga Vertov, the Soviet filmmaker who inspired Godard's group, released his groundbreaking film "Man with a Movie Camera" in 1929.
1936: Founding of the Cinémathèque Française
The Cinémathèque Française, a place that would become fundamental to Godard's development as a filmmaker, is founded in 1936 by Henri Langlois and Georges Franju.
1946: Godard's Introduction to Film Criticism and Lycée Buffon
In 1946, Godard's passion for cinema is ignited after reading André Malraux's essay and discovering "La Revue du cinéma." He enrolls at Lycée Buffon in Paris, connecting with its cultural elite.
1947: Emergence of Ciné-Club du Quartier Latin
Around 1947, the Ciné-Club du Quartier Latin (CCQL) emerges, providing a vital intellectual space for film discussion and significantly influencing Godard and his contemporaries.
1948: Godard Returns to Switzerland After Failing the Baccalauréat
After failing the baccalauréat exam, Godard moves back to Switzerland in 1948, where he pursues studies in Lausanne amidst his parents' separation, further exploring art and philosophy.
1948: Influence of Ciné-Clubs on Post-War Film Culture
By 1948, film clubs inspired by André Bazin's wartime screenings become central to French intellectual life, fostering a generation of cinephiles and future filmmakers like Godard.
1949: Godard Returns to Paris and Studies Anthropology
In 1949, Godard returns to Paris, passing his baccalauréat retest and enrolling at the Sorbonne to study anthropology. However, his true passion lies in the burgeoning film culture of the city.
1950: Godard Immerses Himself in Parisian Ciné-Clubs
By 1950, Godard becomes a regular at Parisian ciné-clubs like the Cinémathèque Française and Ciné-Club du Quartier Latin, immersing himself in film history and connecting with future New Wave icons like François Truffaut and Jacques Rivette.
1950: Godard Co-Founds "La Gazette du cinéma"
Godard, alongside Maurice Schérer and Jacques Rivette, establishes the film journal "La Gazette du cinéma" in 1950. Though short-lived, it reflects their early engagement with film criticism.
1951: Godard Becomes a Writer for Cahiers du Cinéma
In 1951, Godard joins the newly founded Cahiers du Cinéma as a writer, contributing to the influential film magazine that would become a platform for the French New Wave movement.
January 1952: Godard Publishes His First Film Review
Godard's entry into film criticism begins with his first published review in the January 1952 issue of Cahiers du Cinéma, marking the beginning of his influential writing career.
September 1952: Godard's "Defence and Illustration of Classical Découpage"
In September 1952, Godard publishes "Defence and Illustration of Classical Découpage," a significant essay challenging established views on filmmaking and championing directors like Howard Hawks and Otto Preminger.
1952: Return to Switzerland and Work on the Grande Dixence Dam
In 1952, Godard returned to Switzerland after leaving Paris, residing with his mother in Lausanne. He befriended his mother's lover, Jean-Pierre Laubscher, a laborer at the Grande Dixence Dam, and secured a job there as a construction worker. This experience inspired his first documentary film about the dam.
April 1954: Odile Monod's Death
In a tragic turn of events, Godard's mother, Odile Monod, died in a scooter accident in April 1954. At the time, Godard was working as a telephone switchboard operator at the Plaz Fleuri work site at the Grande Dixence Dam in Switzerland.
1955: Une femme coquette
In 1955, Godard directed the 10-minute short film "Une femme coquette" in Geneva, marking his early foray into filmmaking.
January 1956: Return to Paris and Film Projects
Godard returned to Paris in January 1956, where he continued working on various film projects. He collaborated with Truffaut on an ambitious adaptation of Goethe's "Elective Affinities" and a film based on the true-crime story of Michel Portail, but both projects were ultimately abandoned.
1956: Jean Seberg's Rise to Fame
American actress Jean Seberg rose to fame in 1956 when she was chosen by director Otto Preminger to play Joan of Arc in his film "Saint Joan." Despite facing criticism for her performance in later roles, Godard and Truffaut recognized her talent and cast her in "Breathless."
1957: Collaboration with Rohmer and First Produced Short Film
In 1957, Godard collaborated with Eric Rohmer on a series of short films. The first film in the series, "All the Boys Are Called Patrick," was produced by Pierre Braunberger, with Godard directing Rohmer's script.
May 1958: Release of Le petit soldat
Jean-Luc Godard's film "Le petit soldat", set against the backdrop of the Algerian War, premiered in May 1958. The film follows Bruno Forestier, a photojournalist entangled with a right-wing paramilitary group, who is ordered to kill a professor sympathetic to the Algerian resistance. The film's innovative dialogue recording technique, with Godard writing lines daily and feeding them to actors during filming, was made possible by post-production dubbing.
December 1958: Festival of Short Films in Tours and Aspiration for Feature Filmmaking
In December 1958, Godard attended the Festival of Short Films in Tours, where he connected with filmmakers like Jacques Demy, Jacques Rozier, and Agnès Varda. Inspired by the experience, Godard decided to pursue feature filmmaking.
1958: Godard Recognizes Belmondo's Potential
In 1958, Godard recognized the acting talent of Jean-Paul Belmondo, referring to him as "the Michel Simon and the Jules Berry of tomorrow" in an article for the magazine "Arts." This recognition led to Godard casting Belmondo as the lead in "Breathless."
1959: Cannes Film Festival and Pursuit of Funding
Godard attended the 1959 Cannes Film Festival seeking funding for a feature film based on the Michel Portail story. He approached producer Georges de Beauregard, whom he knew from his time at Twentieth Century Fox's Paris office, but Beauregard was unable to provide financial backing.
January 1960: Godard Wins the Jean Vigo Prize
In January 1960, Godard won the prestigious Jean Vigo Prize, awarded to promising young filmmakers. The award recognized the innovative and groundbreaking nature of his debut feature film, "Breathless."
1960: Start of Godard's Celebrated Period
1960 marked the beginning of Godard's most celebrated period as a director, starting with his groundbreaking feature film debut, "Breathless."
1960: Release of "Breathless"
Godard's debut feature film, "Breathless," starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg, premiered in 1960. This iconic film helped define the French New Wave movement with its innovative use of jump cuts, handheld camerawork, and a spontaneous, documentary-like style.
1960: Filming of "Le petit soldat" and Relationship with Anna Karina
In 1960, Godard directed "Le petit soldat," which starred Anna Karina, who would later become his wife. The film explored the Algerian War of Independence and faced censorship upon its release due to its political themes.
1960: Release of "Breathless" and the Rise of the French New Wave
Jean-Luc Godard releases "Breathless" in 1960, a film that would become a cornerstone of the French New Wave movement. This groundbreaking work challenged cinematic conventions and cemented his place as a cinematic innovator.
1961: Marriage to Anna Karina
Godard married actress Anna Karina, who starred in several of his films, in 1961.
1961: Release of "A Woman Is a Woman"
Godard's first color film, "A Woman Is a Woman," was released in 1961. The film, starring Anna Karina and Jean-Paul Belmondo, was Godard's homage to the American musical genre, but with autobiographical elements reflecting his relationship with Karina.
1962: Release of "Vivre sa vie" ("My Life to Live")
"Vivre sa vie" ("My Life to Live"), starring Anna Karina, premiered in 1962. The film, one of Godard's most critically acclaimed works, tells the story of Nana, a young woman who becomes entangled in prostitution after facing financial hardship.
1962: Release of "Vivre sa vie"
In 1962, Godard released "Vivre sa vie" ("My Life to Live"), starring Anna Karina. The film further explored his innovative cinematic techniques and solidified his collaborations with Karina as a hallmark of the French New Wave.
1963: Release and Censorship of "Le petit soldat"
"Le petit soldat," filmed in 1960, was finally released in 1963. However, the French government banned the film for two years due to its controversial depiction of the Algerian War of Independence. This marked one of Godard's early confrontations with censorship.
1963: Release of Le Mépris (Contempt)
1963 marked the release of Jean-Luc Godard's most commercially successful film, "Le Mépris" ("Contempt"), featuring Michel Piccoli and Brigitte Bardot. The film delves into the world of filmmaking, following screenwriter Paul as he's hired to rework a script for an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, highlighting the clash between artistic vision and commercial interests in the film industry.
1963: Release of "Contempt"
Godard releases "Contempt" in 1963, a film that grapples with themes of disillusionment and the complexities of filmmaking.
1964: Release of Une femme mariée (A Married Woman)
Following "Band of Outsiders," Godard released "Une femme mariée" ("A Married Woman") in 1964, a minimalist black-and-white film exploring themes of modernity and alienation. Shot in just four weeks, the film's fragmented style reflected Godard's evolving artistic sensibilities and his engagement with contemporary intellectual currents.
1964: Release of "A Band Apart"
Godard released "A Band Apart" in 1964. The film would later become the namesake of Quentin Tarantino's production company.
1964: Release of "Band of Outsiders"
Godard's "Band of Outsiders" premieres in 1964, further showcasing his unique style and his ability to blend genres.
1964: Release of Bande à part (Band of Outsiders)
In 1964, Jean-Luc Godard, in collaboration with Anna Karina, released "Bande à part" ("Band of Outsiders"), a film he described as a fusion of "Alice in Wonderland" and "Franz Kafka." This crime drama, featuring two young men aspiring to commit a heist and their shared infatuation with Karina, ingeniously incorporates and reinterprets classic gangster film tropes.
1965: Release of Pierrot le fou
In 1965, Godard released the film "Pierrot le fou," which, while lacking a clear political message, explored themes of consumerism, feminism, and societal critique through its characters and situations.
1965: Release of Alphaville and Pierrot le Fou
Godard's filmmaking journey continued in 1965 with the release of two distinct films: "Alphaville," a futuristic noir exploring themes of technology and control, and "Pierrot le Fou," a visually arresting crime drama that served as both a reflection on Godard's own filmography and a commentary on contemporary French society.
1965: Releases of "Alphaville" and "Pierrot le Fou"
Godard had two major releases in 1965, "Alphaville," a science fiction film, and "Pierrot le Fou," a crime drama. These films demonstrated his versatility and willingness to experiment with different genres while maintaining his distinct cinematic language.
1965: Divorce from Anna Karina
Godard and Anna Karina divorced in 1965.
1965: Planning for Pierrot le Fou
During 1965, while working on "Une femme mariée," Godard began developing his next project, "Pierrot le Fou" (1965), a visually striking and emotionally charged film that would further cement his reputation as a cinematic innovator.
1966: Release of Made in U.S.A
Drawing inspiration from American film noir, Godard directed "Made in U.S.A" in 1966. This stylish crime thriller starred Anna Karina as a determined woman investigating her lover's murder.
1966: Release of Masculin Féminin
In 1966, Godard released "Masculin Féminin," a film exploring the complexities of gender roles and youth culture in contemporary France, drawing inspiration from two short stories by Guy de Maupassant. The film's title itself highlighted the societal dynamics at play.
1966: Godard's works and innovations praised by notable directors
In 1966, Godard's works and innovations were praised by notable directors such as Michelangelo Antonioni, Satyajit Ray and Orson Welles, although Welles also expressed reservations about Godard's thinking.
1966: Release of "Masculine Féminin"
Jean-Luc Godard releases "Masculine Féminin" in 1966, a film that explores gender dynamics and societal issues of the time.
1967: Release of "Weekend"
Godard directs "Weekend" in 1967, a film known for its satirical and politically charged commentary.
1967: Marriage to Anne Wiazemsky
Godard married actress Anne Wiazemsky in 1967. They had collaborated on several films together.
1967: Release of Two or Three Things I Know About Her
Godard's 1967 film "Two or Three Things I Know About Her" offered a poignant portrayal of a woman navigating the complexities of modern life. Marina Vlady delivered a compelling performance as a housewife leading a double life, a role that further solidified Godard's reputation for crafting thought-provoking and challenging cinema.
1967: End of Godard's Celebrated Period
Godard's most celebrated period as a director came to an end around 1967, with his film "Week End." This period was characterized by films that challenged cinematic conventions while referencing film history.
1967: Release of Loin du Vietnam (Far From Vietnam)
In 1967, Godard contributed to the collaborative anti-war film "Loin du Vietnam" ("Far From Vietnam"). This powerful film featured segments directed by prominent filmmakers, including Godard, who utilized footage from his earlier work, "La Chinoise."
1967: Release of La Chinoise
Released in 1967, "La Chinoise" marked Godard's most politically charged film to date. It centered around a group of students and their engagement with radical leftist ideologies, reflecting the growing student activist movements in France at the time.
May 1968: Formation of the Dziga Vertov Group
Following May 1968, Godard and a group of Maoists, including Gorin, formed the Dziga Vertov Group, named after the Soviet filmmaker.
May 1968: Godard's "Militant" or "Radical" Period Begins
Following the May 1968 protests, Godard entered a period marked by strong revolutionary rhetoric in both his films and public pronouncements, often labeled his "militant" or "radical" phase.
May 1968: Student Rebellions in France
In May 1968, widespread student protests erupted across France, challenging societal norms, traditional institutions, and the government. These events, characterized by strikes, demonstrations, and calls for social change, significantly impacted French society and culture.
May 1968: Collaboration with Jean-Pierre Gorin
After May 1968, Godard began collaborating with Jean-Pierre Gorin, a Maoist student with a shared passion for cinema.
1968: Cannes Film Festival Protest
In 1968, Godard, alongside François Truffaut, led protests that led to the shutdown of the Cannes Film Festival. They criticized the festival for not representing the ongoing student and worker movements.
1968: Start of Godard and Gorin's Collaboration
Godard and Gorin began their filmmaking collaboration in 1968, creating films with strong Maoist messages.
1968: Godard's Shift to Political Filmmaking
Inspired by the 1968 political climate, Godard shifted to making low-budget, experimental films that challenged traditional filmmaking norms. He sought to distance himself from the cult of personality surrounding him.
1969: Formation of the Dziga Vertov Group
In 1969, driven by his political convictions, Godard forms the Dziga Vertov Group, a filmmaking collective aiming to create radical political cinema.
1970: Collaboration with Anne-Marie Miéville
Godard began collaborating with Anne-Marie Miéville in 1970. This marked the beginning of a significant personal and professional partnership.
1970: Godard's Unfinished Pro-Palestinian Film
In 1970, Godard traveled to the Middle East with the intention of creating a pro-Palestinian film. However, the project remained unfinished, and the footage captured during this period was later incorporated into his 1976 film "Ici et ailleurs."
1971: Jane Fonda Wins Academy Award
Jane Fonda, who would later star in Godard's "Tout Va Bien," won an Academy Award for her role in "Klute" in 1971.
1972: Release of Tout Va Bien
Godard and Gorin released "Tout Va Bien" in 1972, a film starring Jane Fonda and Yves Montand, which explored political and social themes.
1972: Formation of Sonimage
Godard, with Anne-Marie Miéville, established the alternative video production company Sonimage in 1972. This marked a period of experimentation with video technology.
1972: Release of Tout Va Bien and Letter to Jane
In 1972, Godard, in collaboration with Jean-Pierre Gorin, released "Tout Va Bien" and "Letter to Jane." "Tout Va Bien" was a big-budget production, while "Letter to Jane" provided a deconstruction of Western imperialism.
1973: End of Godard and Gorin's Collaboration
Godard and Gorin's collaborative filmmaking partnership came to an end in 1973 after producing five films together.
1975: Release of Comment ca va, Numéro Deux
In 1975, Godard released the film "Comment ca va, Numéro Deux," produced under his and Miéville's company, Sonimage.
1976: Collaboration on Video Works
Godard and Miéville collaborated on innovative video projects, "Six fois deux/Sur et sous la communication" in 1976 and "France/tour/détour/deux/enfants" in 1978, for European television.
1976: Release of Ici et ailleurs
Godard's 1976 film "Ici et ailleurs" ("Here and Elsewhere"), incorporating footage from his abandoned pro-Palestinian project, explored themes of political struggle, media representation, and global conflicts, reflecting his evolving perspectives on revolution and representation.
1978: Godard Criticizes Kodak Film Stock
In 1978, Godard criticized Kodak film stock as "inherently racist" due to its inability to accurately represent the complexities of dark skin tones. This critique stemmed from Kodak Shirley cards only being calibrated for Caucasian skin tones until 1995.
1978: Release of France/tour/détour/deux/enfants
Godard and Miéville released their collaborative video project "France/tour/détour/deux/enfants" in 1978, showcasing their innovative work in television.
1978: Move to Rolle, Switzerland, with Anne-Marie Miéville
Godard moved to Rolle, Switzerland, with Anne-Marie Miéville in 1978, where he resided until his death.
1979: Divorce from Anne Wiazemsky
Godard and Anne Wiazemsky divorced in 1979.
1980: Shift in Godard's Cinematic Approach
Around 1980, Godard's cinematic style and thematic focus underwent a noticeable shift. While his earlier works often employed film for explicit political commentary, his later films delved into more experimental and philosophical territory, exploring themes of memory, perception, and the nature of cinema itself.
1980: Release of Sauve qui peut (la vie)
Godard released "Sauve qui peut (la vie)" in 1980, marking a return to more traditional narrative filmmaking with autobiographical elements.
1980: Godard Returns to Mainstream Filmmaking and Release of Sauve qui peut (la vie)
Godard returned to more traditional filmmaking in 1980 with "Sauve qui peut (la vie)." This marked the beginning of a series of films with autobiographical elements.
1981: Godard's Controversial Statement on Moses
In 1981, Godard made a controversial statement on television regarding Moses and Jewish people, sparking debate and accusations of anti-Semitism. He stated, "Moses is my principal enemy...Moses, when he received the commandments, he saw images and translated them. Then he brought the texts, he didn't show what he had seen. That's why the Jewish people are accursed."
1982: Release of Passion and Lettre à Freddy Buache
Godard released two films in 1982: "Passion," exploring themes of art and desire, and "Lettre à Freddy Buache," a tribute to the Swiss film critic.
1983: Release of Prénom Carmen
Godard released "Prénom Carmen" in 1983, a modern take on the Carmen story, blending music and drama.
1985: Release of Je vous salue, Marie
Godard's film "Je vous salue, Marie," a controversial modern interpretation of the Virgin Mary story, was released in 1985, drawing condemnation from the Catholic Church.
1986: Release of Grandeur et décadence d'un petit commerce de cinéma
In 1986, Godard released "Grandeur et décadence d'un petit commerce de cinéma," a film exploring the changing landscape of the film industry.
1987: Release of King Lear and Aria Segment
Godard directed a postmodern production of Shakespeare's "King Lear" in 1987, and also contributed a segment to the film "Aria," loosely based on the opera "Armide."
1988: Start of Histoire(s) du cinéma
Godard began working on his ambitious multi-part film series "Histoire(s) du cinéma" in 1988, a project that combined his innovative video work with a deep exploration of cinema and 20th-century history.
1990: Release of Nouvelle Vague and Award from National Society of Film Critics
In 1990, Godard released "Nouvelle Vague" and received a special award from the National Society of Film Critics, acknowledging his contributions to cinema.
1991: Release of Allemagne année 90 neuf zéro
Godard released "Allemagne année 90 neuf zéro" in 1991, a film reflecting on themes of German reunification and aging, considered a spiritual sequel to his earlier work "Alphaville."
1995: Release of JLG/JLG, autoportrait de décembre
In 1995, Godard released "JLG/JLG, autoportrait de décembre," a deeply personal and introspective film exploring themes of self-reflection and aging.
1995: Kodak Addresses Skin Tone Bias
In 1995, fifteen years after Godard's criticisms, Kodak addressed the longstanding bias in their film stock by recalibrating their Shirley cards to better represent a wider range of skin tones.
1996: Release of For Ever Mozart
Godard released "For Ever Mozart" in 1996, a film that explored themes of art, war, and reconciliation, set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War.
1998: Completion of Histoire(s) du cinéma
After a decade of work, Godard completed his monumental film series "Histoire(s) du cinéma" in 1998, a complex and multifaceted exploration of film history and the 20th century.
2001: Release of "Éloge de l'amour"
Jean-Luc Godard's film "Éloge de l'amour" ("In Praise of Love") was released in 2001. The film is notable for its distinct visual style, using both 35mm black and white film and color DV footage. It explores themes of aging, love, separation, and rediscovery through the story of artist Edgar.
2002: Godard Ranked Among Top Directors by Sight & Sound
In 2002, a Sight & Sound poll places Godard third in the critics' top ten directors of all time, solidifying his legacy as one of cinema's most influential figures.
2004: Release of "Notre musique"
In 2004, Godard released "Notre musique" ("Our Music"), a film that delves into the subject of war. The film draws parallels between various conflicts, including the war in Sarajevo, the American Civil War, the war between the U.S. and Native Americans, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, framing them within a Dantean structure of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.
May 2010: Premiere and Release of "Film Socialisme"
Godard's film "Film Socialisme" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2010 and was subsequently released in France the same month.
2010: Godard's Honorary Oscar and Anti-Semitism Accusations
In 2010, as Godard was set to receive an honorary Oscar, past accusations of anti-Semitism resurfaced, fueled by his 1981 statement about Moses and his critical stance on the State of Israel. The controversy raised questions about separating an artist's work from their personal views.
2010: Godard Receives an Honorary Academy Award
Jean-Luc Godard receives an Honorary Academy Award in 2010, recognizing his lifetime achievement and exceptional contributions to filmmaking.
2012: Godard's films listed as favorites in Sight and Sound critics' poll
In the 2012 Sight and Sound critics' poll, several of Godard's films were listed as favorites by prominent figures in cinema, including Akira Kurosawa, Tariq Ali, and Armond White.
2013: Premiere of "Les trois désastres"
Godard's short film "Les trois désastres" ("The Three Disasters") premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Part of the omnibus film "3X3D," the project also features works by directors Peter Greenaway and Edgar Pera.
2014: Release of "Goodbye to Language"
In 2014, Godard releases "Goodbye to Language," a film showcasing his continued exploration of new technologies and filmmaking techniques late in his career.
2014: Release of "Goodbye to Language"
Jean-Luc Godard released "Goodbye to Language" in 2014. The 3-D film focuses on a couple facing communication struggles, with their dog serving as an unlikely interpreter. It incorporates a blend of influences, including paintings by Nicolas de Staël, writings by William Faulkner, and the works of mathematician Laurent Schwartz and dramatist Bertolt Brecht.
2015: Publication of Anne Wiazemsky's memoir "Un an après"
Anne Wiazemsky's memoir "Un an après" ("One Year After"), recounting her relationship and work with Godard in the late 1960s, was published in 2015.
2015: Start of work on "Le livre d'image"
J. Hoberman reported that Godard began working on a new film in 2015.
December 2016: Confirmation and details about "Le livre d'image"
In December 2016, Vincent Maraval, co-chief of Wild Bunch, confirmed that Godard had been filming "Le livre d'image" ("The Image Book") for nearly two years. The film, shot in various Arab countries, including Tunisia, examines the modern Arab World.
2017: Agnes Varda's documentary "Faces Places"
Agnes Varda's documentary "Faces Places," co-directed with JR, featured an attempt to interview Godard at his home in Rolle in 2017. However, Godard, despite initially agreeing to the meeting, did not appear.
2017: Release of Michel Hazanavicius's film "Redoubtable"
Michel Hazanavicius's film "Redoubtable," based on Anne Wiazemsky's memoir "Un an après" and depicting Godard's life in the late 1960s, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. Godard himself criticized the film.
November 2018: Premiere of "Le livre d'image"
"Le livre d'image" premiered in November 2018.
2018: Release of "Film Catastrophe"
Godard's nephew and assistant, Paul Grivas, directed the 2018 documentary "Film Catastrophe." The film incorporates behind-the-scenes footage shot by Grivas during the making of "Film Socialism," providing insights into Godard's directing process.
December 2019: Opening of "Le Studio d'Orphée"
On December 4, 2019, Godard's art installation "Le Studio d'Orphée" opened at the Fondazione Prada in Milan. The installation recreates Godard's workspace, including editing equipment, furniture, and materials he used in post-production.
2020: Announcement of new film about Yellow vest protestor
In 2020, Godard revealed his plans for a new film about a Yellow Vest protestor to Les Inrockuptibles. He expressed his intent to blend archival footage with staged scenes, aiming to capture the essence of documentary and fiction.
March 2021: Announcement of two final films
During a virtual interview at the International Film Festival of Kerala in March 2021, Godard announced that he was working on two new films, indicating they would mark the end of his filmmaking career.
July 2021: Update on Godard's final films
Cinematographer Fabrice Aragno, a frequent collaborator with Godard, provided an update on Godard's final films in July 2021. He noted that the projects were progressing slowly, with Godard more immersed in the conceptual aspects than the actual filming. Aragno revealed Godard's interest in a film echoing Chris Marker's "La Jetée" as a return to his roots. The plan involved shooting on 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm film, but financial constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges.
September 2022: Death of Jean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc Godard died on September 13, 2022, at 91, at his home in Rolle, Switzerland. His death was reported as an assisted suicide, a legal procedure in Switzerland, undertaken due to what his legal advisor described as "multiple disabling pathologies." However, a family member stated that Godard was not sick but "simply exhausted." His wife, Anne-Marie Miéville, was with him when he died. He was cremated without a funeral service.
September 2022: Death of Jean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc Godard passed away on September 13, 2022, marking the end of an era for cinema. His death was met with tributes from around the world, celebrating his profound impact on filmmaking.
2022: Godard's participation in "See You Friday, Robinson"
Godard participated in the 2022 documentary "See You Friday, Robinson" directed by Mitra Farahani. The film documents an email exchange between Godard and Iranian filmmaker Ebrahim Golestan, showcasing their perspectives on cinema and other subjects.
2022: Godard's films included in BFI's 100 Greatest Films
In 2022, three of Godard's films - Breathless, Le Mépris, and Histoire(s) du cinéma - were included in the British Film Institute's Sight and Sound magazine list of 100 Greatest Films.
2022: Tribute to Godard at the 60th New York Film Festival
The 60th New York Film Festival, held in 2022, paid tribute to Jean-Luc Godard, who had passed away earlier that year. The Onion also published a humorous headline acknowledging Godard's death.
2023: Premiere of "Trailer of the Film That Will Never Exist: "Phony Wars""
"Trailer of the Film That Will Never Exist: "Phony Wars"," a 20-minute short film by Godard, premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The film was made in collaboration with St. Laurent.
2024: World premiere of "Scenarios" at Cannes Film Festival
"Scenarios," Godard's final short film, left unfinished at the time of his death, will have its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Aragno and Jean-Paul Battagia completed the film.