Cannes 2025: Richard Linklater’s ‘Nouvelle Vague’ earns thunderous 10-minute standing ovation at Cannes

Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague premieres at Cannes, a black-and-white homage to French New Wave, receiving standing ovation.

Richard Linklater lit up the Cannes Film Festival Saturday night with the world premiere of Nouvelle Vague, a striking, black-and-white homage to Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave. The film received a 10-minute-plus standing ovation inside the Palais des Festivals, with applause erupting before the lights even came up.

“Cinema is magic,” Linklater told the crowd, visibly moved as the cheers finally began to fade.

Nouvelle Vague dramatises the making of Breathless (À bout de souffle), the revolutionary 1960 film that helped launch the French New Wave cinematic movement. Told in French and shot in 4:3 aspect ratio on celluloid, the film stars Guillaume Marbeck as Godard, Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, and Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo. Linklater’s direction mimics the jump cuts, spontaneity, and rebellious spirit of the New Wave itself.

The film was kept under wraps ahead of its premiere, with no advance screenings for critics. Linklater, whose work has consistently challenged film conventions, wanted audiences to experience it fresh, on the big screen, in France.

Adding to the night’s electricity was a moment between Linklater and fellow film devotee Quentin Tarantino, who embraced the director in the theater before the screening began, drawing cheers from the audience.

Paris-based sales agent Goodfellas is now shopping Nouvelle Vague to international buyers, with interest already building after the electric reception.