I have a special love for the directors featured in this installment. These were the folks whose movies we went to see in college. The discussions at the coffee houses and in some dark living room showed how little we knew, but they were provocative as all get out. These Europeans are a who's who of film, showing us the angst and depression that hung over the continent at this time. It begins with Ingmar Bergman, using close ups to show the great pain of his characters as they tussled with their human shortcomings and their view of God and death. Robert Bresson and his "Pickpocket" who felt that we must despair to become whole and connect. Jacque Tate, the apotheosis of Chaplain, yet like him in his comedic effect. Fellini who improvised and created the circus of man. Jean Luc Godard with "Breathless" and the quick cut which focused on a single subject. Agnes Varda and "Chleo from 5 to 7." The nearly incomprehensible but enigmatic Alain Resnais, featuring "The Last Year at Marienbad." Sergio Leone, he of the Spaghetti Western, mimicking Kurosawa and bringing in Clint Eastwood to recreate Toshiro Mifume. Finally we have Francois Truffaut and Pier Paolo Pasolini, remarkable directors along with Luchino Visconti. Even though too much is covered in an hour, it is a tribute to a time of amazing, though heart wrenching, cinema.
Review of European New Wave
