Film Course: French New Wave at HOME

Johnny James, Managing Editor

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Film Course: French New Wave

HOME Manchester, Manchester
14 January-1 April 2026

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Image supplied by Home MCR
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Coinciding with the release of Nouvelle Vague – Richard Linklater’s new film about the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s À bout de souffle – this course at HOME offers an accessible overview of one of cinema’s most influential movements.

The French New Wave – or Nouvelle Vague – emerged at the end of the 1950s, as a new generation of critics, directors and technicians began to challenge established filmmaking conventions. Through a mix of lectures and screenings, HOME’s course introduces key films and figures from the movement, while unpacking the critical and industry changes that shaped its arrival and lasting impact.

Alongside historical context, the course places the New Wave within wider cultural and gender perspectives, encouraging participants to think about its legacy and how its ideas continue to shape cinema today. Two landmark films anchor the programme: À bout de souffle, Godard’s formally disruptive debut, and Cléo de 5 à 7, Varda’s quietly radical portrait of time, femininity and modern life. There will also be opportunities to catch further New Wave titles as part of HOME’s wider season.

No prior knowledge is required. With Wednesday evening sessions running from January to March, this course offers a chance to slow down, look closely, and learn about a defining moment in film history.

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