Legends in the Making, a Film Lovers Must!

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MOVIE REVIEW
Early Short Films of the French New Wave
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Genre: French New Wave
Year Released: 2023 Icarus Films Blu-ray/DVD
Runtime: 5h 48m
Director(s): Various
Writer(s): Various
Cast: Various
Language: French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: available September 19, 2023; pre-order here www.icarusfilms.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: If you don’t own a Blu-ray player, now is the time to go out and buy one! Sure, this is also available on DVD, but the stunning 2K restoration is evident in almost every frame of this must-own set on Blu-ray! Delve into the vibrant epoch where French cinema was turned on its head, thanks to the EARLY SHORT FILMS OF THE FRENCH NEW WAVE. Here's a time capsule, a shimmering anthology, ready to whisk you off to an era spanning the late 1950s to the mid-1960s. Imagine a world bursting with innovation, where mavericks like Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, Agnès Varda, Melvin Van Peebles, and more were busy painting the canvas of cinema with new strokes and fresh colors.

Though Pierre Braunberger never took the directorial reins, his belief in the developing potential of these film giants was the beacon guiding them. His indomitable spirit transformed these innovative ideas into tangible works. Each piece of this anthology stands tall, not merely as introductions to the revolutionary New Wave but as pioneers in their own right, echoing the enthusiasm of the times.

As you wade through this cinematic pool, Alain Resnais stands out with his stunning visual portrayal of France's National Library in ALL THE WORLD'S MEMORY. On the other hand, Jacques Rivette plunges you into a whirlpool of emotions with his tale of love and deception in FOOL'S MATE. And just when you think you've seen it all, ALL THE BOYS ARE CALLED PATRICK, a delightful concoction by Godard, leaves you with a chuckle and a smirk.

But the journey doesn't end here. THE SONG OF STYRENE by Resnais is like a visual poetry class, while Varda takes you by the hand, leading you through the corridors of time in Ô SAISONS, Ô CH TEUX. Modernity finds its voice in Jacques Doniol-Valcroze’s THE OVERWORKED; when A STORY OF WATER comes on screen with Godard and Truffaut at the helm, be prepared for an unexpected splash.

The restoration quality? Nothing short of cinematic magic! The films gleam with the sheen of modern cinema, making them an absolute visual treat. It's like walking into a gallery where vintage portraits have been given a fresh coat of paint, renewing their age-old charm.

Diving deeper, the anthology brings to light lesser-known wonders. IN MEMORY OF ROCK by François Reichenbach is a rhythm-infused journey tracing the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. And as Jean Rouch showcases in THE GOUMBÉ OF THE YOUNG REVELERS, an electric cultural gala awaits in the Ivory Coast.

So, as the final credits roll, here's the takeaway: EARLY SHORT FILMS OF THE FRENCH NEW WAVE isn’t just an homage to bygone days. It's an invitation to witness the enchanting dance of cinema, where each film steps in rhythm, leaving an indelible mark. The magic of the New Wave lives on, reminding us of cinema’s enduring, mesmerizing spell. With a seamless blend of humor, societal insights, and a touch of modern musings, these films have stamped their presence in the annals of cinematic history.

This box set includes two discs and a 12-page booklet with an essay by Eric Le Roy, Head of Collections at the Centre National de Cinema (CNC). The short films included in this box set have been restored and digitized with the support of the CNC.

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[photo courtesy of ICARUS FILMS]

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