French 4: French 4: La Nouvelle Vague Cinéma

Are you passionate about film and want to understand one of the most revolutionary movements in the history of cinema? This French course explores the French New Wave (La Nouvelle Vague), a post-war film movement (late 1950s–1960s) that transformed how films are made, seen, and understood. Through iconic directors, stylistic innovations, and enduring influence in contemporary cinema, we will journey from Parisian streets to gl...

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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.

  • Start Date: 21 Nov 2026
    End Date: 05 Dec 2026
    Sat (Daytime): 10:00 - 12:00
    Online
    Location: Online
    Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
    Course Code: LFW71
    Tutors:  Masa Uzelac
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00
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Any questions? languages@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 3443 9714

Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.

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In stock
SKU
244195
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00

What is the course about?

This 3-week course offers a comprehensive overview of the French New Wave and its continuing legacy in global cinema. We will examine key directors, groundbreaking films, distinctive techniques, and the movement’s philosophical and aesthetic values.

What will we cover?

Origins and key figures of the French New Wave:

• The historical and cultural context of post-war France.

• An overview of key directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, Agnès Varda, Claude Chabrol, and Alain Resnais, and their contributions to the movement.

Styles and techniques of the Nouvelle Vague:

• New approaches to filming, editing, and storytelling.

• A more spontaneous, personal, and experimental cinematic style.

Core values and themes:

• Auteur theory and the idea of the director as creative author.

• Realism and authenticity in representing everyday life.

The legacy of the French New Wave:

• The movement’s lasting influence and examples of its continued relevance in contemporary filmmaking, including Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague (2025).

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Identify the major directors and defining films of the French New Wave.
  • Understand and describe key cinematic techniques pioneered by the movement.
  • Discuss the philosophical and cultural values expressed in New Wave films.
  • Analyse how the New Wave influenced later filmmakers and continues to resonate in contemporary cinema.
  • Express your knowledge and opinions about film history and analysis in French, with improved terminology and fluency.

This course will also enhance your French linguistic skills, equipping you to talk about cinema, aesthetics, and cultural movements with precision and depth.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is delivered entirely in French and is designed for learners at level 4 (B2) or students who have studied French for about five years. No specific background in film studies is required—only an interest in cinema and culture.

If you are not sure about your level, please contact Languages on languages@citylit.ac.uk or check our level assessment chart on: http://www.citylit.ac.uk/self-assess-your-level

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The teaching approach is engaging and discussion-based, using presentations, film clips, readings, and interactive activities. Expect lively in-class analysis and group discussions. Homework is recommended to deepen your understanding but is not mandatory.

This course uses Google Classroom, a digital learning platform where all the teaching and learning resources can be found. Here are some common answers to questions about Google Classroom.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no additional costs or specific resources needed for this course.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Any French level 4 course. Please check our website for further details or contact us on languages@citylit.ac.uk

You may also wish to consider our language and culture  or our conversation courses to expand and consolidate your learning.

Masa Uzelac

Dr Maša Uzelac holds a BA (Hons) and an MA degree in Romance Studies from the University of Novi Sad in Serbia. She specialised in French, Italian, and Portuguese language and literature. She has an extensive experience in MFL teaching, both in Higher Education and as a private language tutor. Maša completed a PhD in French Studies at the University of Galway in Ireland. Her research interests include literature, politics, and philosophy. Maša's most recent research project explored the concept of ambivalent utopianism in the works of authors Michel Houellebecq and Aldous Huxley. Maša lived in different countries including Serbia, Portugal, France and Ireland. She is currently based in Liverpool and works as an Associate Tutor in French at Edge Hill University. She speaks Serbian, French, English, Italian, Portuguese and Hungarian

Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.