François Truffaut's films are at the top of the new wave. He was a critic and a critical thinker, then turned film maker, expressing some of his most interesting ideas in the format of film. This
festival examines the beginning of his career, including 'The Bride Wore Black', 'Fahrenheit 451' and 'Jules et Jim'.
A famous image from 'Jules et Jim
As well as showing early Truffaut films, and there are quite a number of them to choose from, the festival presents lectures and documentaries about our man's work and his most famous films. So you can watch the films and draw your own conclusions or learn a bit more about him from the experts.
If you're unfamiliar with his work so far, here are a few recommendations from someone very much looking forward to the festival:
Silken Skin is one of Truffaut's subtlest films, but this tale of romance and lust also packs and suspenseful punch.
Fahrenheit 451 is the science fiction story about a future in which books are banned – it's also Truffaut's first colour film and the only one he shot in England and in English.
Jules et Jim is probably Truffaut's best known film, a ménage à trois set before during and after WW1, and starring an absolutely delicious Catherine Moreau as the femme fatale of all femmes.
And
The 400 Blows, one of the defining films of the French new wave movement, about a 13 year old going a bit wild in Paris. Very real and very gritty, also supposedly quite autobiographical.
