Jacques Rivette, a central architect of the French New Wave, directed twenty-nine films characterized by lengthy runtimes, improvisation, and loose narrative structures. His career spanned from the post-war cine-club circuits in Paris to international recognition as a leading voice in cinema, leaving behind a legacy defined by his distinctive approach to character development and technical experimentation on screen.
Early Career and Criticism
Born in Rouen in 1928, Rivette received his education at the Lycée Pierre-Corneille. His entry into filmmaking began with short films shot at age twenty, inspired by Jean Cocteau. Moving to Paris, he became a fixture at Henri Langlois' Cinémathèque Française, where he met future collaborators including François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Éric Rohmer, and Claude Chabrol. In 1953, he joined the staff of Cahiers du Cinéma, eventually serving as editor-in-chief. His critical writing was noted for its intensity and support of American genre directors.
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Although he began his first feature, Paris Belongs to Us, before his peers, its release was delayed until 1961. During this time, he directed Le Coup de Berger, frequently cited as the inaugural work of the French New Wave movement. He later navigated significant professional challenges, including public opposition to the censorship of his 1966 film, The Nun.
The Evolution of Cinematic Style
Rivette's later work shifted toward intricate, often lengthy examinations of performance. The thirteen-hour film Out 1 exemplifies his commitment to deep character exploration. Throughout the 1970s and beyond, his projects—such as Céline and Julie Go Boating, L'Amour fou, and the internationally acclaimed La Belle Noiseuse—integrated fantasy and naturalistic acting. He maintained a consistent partnership with producer Martine Marignac starting in the early 1980s.
Final Years
Rivette concluded his career with the release of Around a Small Mountain in 2009. His contribution to the medium earned him several honors, including the Sutherland Trophy in 1962 and 1969, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1991, and a Leopard of Honour. He died in the 6th arrondissement of Paris in 2016 and is buried at Montmartre Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, Rouen
- Died: 2016, 6th arrondissement of Paris
- Movement: French New Wave
- Notable films: Out 1, Céline and Julie Go Boating, La Belle Noiseuse
- Burial site: Montmartre Cemetery
- Former position: Editor-in-chief, Cahiers du Cinéma
Questions readers ask
What characterized Jacques Rivette's filmmaking style?
His work is defined by improvisation, loose narrative structures, and exceptionally long running times.
Which film is often cited as the first New Wave film?
Rivette's short film Le Coup de Berger is frequently cited as the first film of the movement.
Achievements
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and film critic
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