In 1973, the world was turned upside down following the upheavals of the late 1960s, which culminated in the militant uprisings of 1968. These events also influenced the world of cinema, dominated by the Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) from France. Feminism was born, and the introduction of the birth control pill offered women a new sense of freedom.
The era was politically transformative, influenced, as it is today, by ongoing wars, then in Vietnam and the Middle East. French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard emerged as a leading figure opposing the American industrial film dramaturgy.
I participated in several films that were inspired by the Nouvelle Vague as a writer, actress, and director.
In THE LONG ROAD TO THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR, the direction intentionally preserves an archival quality. This approach allows the viewer to feel the essence of the time, both behind and in front of the camera.
For artists, the time has come to de-glamorize their cinematic expressions and to prioritize closeness to content over a polished form that risks creating distance or obscuring the message.
Every major turning point in the world creates a new canvas for artists. I would argue that our turbulent world today is experiencing such a turning point.
Vibeke Løkkeberg
