Nouvelles Femmes - by Ericka Knudson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Celebrate the iconic female actors and filmmakers of the French New Wave with a compelling examination of their role as a vital part of cinema history, as well as their influence on attitudes and style in film and in society that endures to this day.

Admired by cinephiles worldwide, women of the French New Wave stand as icons of one of the most innovative times in cinema with their individual voices, undeniable presence, and authentic characters. Legends of style, mystique, and individuality, actresses such as Anna Karina, Jeanne Moreau, Jean Seberg, Brigitte Bardot, and filmmaker Agnès Varda, stand out as emblems of the movement.

Nouvelles Femmes offers a new perspective on these captivating women through quotes from the films, the directors, and, most importantly, the women themselves. With accomplishments ranging from acting, writing, and directing to activism, women of the French New Wave paved the way for today's modern women.

This beautifully crafted and thoroughly researched book captures their powerful influence and makes an essential gift for movie lovers and devotees of French film history.

Review Quotes

"Engaging, well-researched cultural history.... Film historian Knudson looks at French cinema, with a focus on female actors, writers, and directors who shaped, and were shaped by, the artistic revolution known as the New Wave.... In the 1950s, influenced by Hollywood movies that featured feisty, strong-willed women, New Wave directors created movies that reflected the tensions and realities of women's lives. Some New Wave films introduced young free spirits rejecting social strictures; others, multifaceted, mature women facing the complexities of their lives.... Drawing liberally on interviews, Knudson allows her large cast of characters to speak candidly and perceptively about their lives and work." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Ericka Knudson is a noted author and scholar on the French New Wave. She has published numerous articles on cinematic modernity, and the role of women and literature in the movement, as well as a pedagogical book on world cinema. She holds a PhD in Film Studies from the University of Paris and has taught French film and media at Harvard University.