Netflix planning a robust Oscar-Push for its Cannes Pick-Up “New Wave“(In theaters on October 31, Streaming November 14), Richard LinklaterLove letter to Jean-Luc Godard’s first film, “Breathless.” The 1960 movie, which cinematographer Raoul Coutard shot in single, silent takes on the streets of Paris, was a trail blazer in its use of natural light and disjunctive jump cuts.
Linklaters black and white 35mm movie is neither prequel, sequel nor remake of Godards film. It’s not a documentary. The filmmaker simply recreates with a French role and crew what it was like to make the film. “There is not a shot in this movie that would not fit in ’59 to ’62 or ’63, ‘he told indifire.
Netflix plans to run the film for best picture, director (Linklater has been nominated once, for “Boyhood”), actor (Aubry Dulmondo), supporting actor (Guillaume Marbeck as Godard), supporting actress (Zoey Deutch as Jean Sean Seberg) and Manus (Holus (Holus (Holus (Holus) and Manus (Holus (Holus) and Manus (Holus) and Manus (Holus (Jean Sean). Joy Deutch like Jean Seberg) and Manus (Holly Gent, Laetitia Masson, and Vincent Palmo Jr. There are plenty of precedents for foreign films that receive enough support for nominations in these categories, from Neon“Parasite”, “Anatomy of a Fall” and “The Worst Person in the World” to Netflix’s own “Emilia Pérez”, which received 13 nominations.
But the best chance for “New wave“Winning a category is the best international feature and Netflix hoped that” Nouvelle Vague “will be on France’s card list in mid-September.
France sometimes chooses well (Ladj Ly 2020 “Les Miséables” marks its last nomination); Often it does not (the committee failed to nominate the best original script Oscar winner “Anatomy of a case”). The country has not had a best international victory since “Indochine” in 1993.
Since “Nouvelle Vague” is produced by leading French distributors Laurent Pétin and Michèle Pétin with a French role and crew, Texan Linklater directed the film with American Zoey Deutch not a dealbreaker. France has previously submitted non-French filmmakers, including Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven’s French film “Elle”, with Isabelle Huppert and Italian Filippo Neneghetti’s “Two of us.” Japan submitted the German Author Wim Wenders “Perfect Days”, which was nominated in 2024.
But “Nouvelle Vague” has a serious competitor. Neon acquired French resident Jafar Panahi’s Iranian drama “It was just an accident” Two days before it won 2025 Palme d’Or; Its French producers are Philippe Martin and David Thion, whose “Anatomy of a Fall” won in 2024 Palme d’Or (and five Oscar nominations).
Neon is a veteran from the Oscar submission Fray and argues without success for “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (no card list) and “Titane” (no nomination) but lands a selection for Palme d’Or winner “Parasite”, which won the international functional category together with the best picture and director.
“Nouvelle Vague” is a nice ruma that celebrates an icon with French movie but did not win any Cannes prizes. “It was just an accident” is serious Agit-Prop who continues to the court’s controversy with its criticism of Iran’s corruption. Which way will France go?
The campaign for neon is not only endless CEO Tom Quinn but also new distribution manager and veteran Oscar -Visier Ryan Werner. And Netflix’s executive Lisa Taby and her Awards Team would like to take a victory in this category after last year’s “Emilia Pérez” Imbroglio.
When it comes to France, its film community is only rooting for an Oscar victory after 32 years without.
