Netflix acquires the rights to Richard Linklater’s ‘Nouvelle Vague’
The Cannes Film Festival recently concluded on May 24th, with many spectacular films being screened. The prestigious Festival observes many incredible works competing and debuting. These acclaimed films are often sought after for distribution rights by streaming services. Netflix has just won the negotiation war and acquired the rights to Nouvelle Vague, which premiered at the Film Festival.
The film is a black-and-white homage to cinema itself and the French New Wave movement that emerged in the late 1950s. Nouvelle Vague paid a tribute to the iconic 1960 film Breathless. The film features Guillaume Marbeck, Zoey Deutch and Aubrey Dullin. Directed by Richard Linklater, the story follows the making of the film and is shot in French.
The film received a much-deserved standing ovation upon its debut, which lasted longer than ten minutes. Among the cheering crowd, acclaimed and legendary director Quentin Tarantino was also present. Nouvelle Vague is unlikely to receive a theatrical release considering this deal. This is excluding the two-week theatrical run that is mandatory for films to compete at Cannes.
The deal was closed at an approximate $4million, which is a record-breaking standard for a French film. This film is considered to be one of the top contenders to look out for at other prestigious award ceremonies, such as the Academy Awards. Linklater is not new to such acclaim; he has previously received five Academy Award nominations and even won an award at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Golden Globes.
Linklater shared that it is a thrilling experience for his team to be at the premiere, as they had shot their film there too. At that time, they had even discussed the dream-like possibility of such a grand premiere. Speaking about the film itself, he said, “If you do it long enough, I always thought you can make one film about making films. This is mine.”
Linklater’s association with the Cannes Film Festival is not new. His previous films, Fast Food Nation and A Scanner Darkly, also found a special place at the Festival.
Netflix’s acquisition of Nouvelle Vague reinstates the belief that the streaming giant has in the potential of the film. It may be hoping for an array of awards to come its way so the film can join the likes of Ballad of a Small Player and Frankenstein.