Breathless (À bout de souffle in French) is a 1960 French New Wave film directed by Jean-Luc Godard. The film follows Michel Poiccard (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a young criminal who steals a car and kills a policeman. He seeks refuge with his American girlfriend, Patricia Franchini (Jean Seberg), a student and aspiring journalist. As Michel tries to evade the police and escape to Italy, he and Patricia engage in a complex and often tumultuous relationship.

Breathless is known for its innovative style, which includes jump cuts, hand-held camera work, and a non-linear narrative structure. The film's themes of alienation, youth culture, and the influence of American cinema on French culture were groundbreaking at the time and have had a lasting impact on the film industry. Breathless is widely regarded as a landmark in cinema history and a masterpiece of the French New Wave.

Filming location

Breathless (À bout de souffle) was filmed on location in Paris, France. Some of the iconic Parisian landmarks that appear in the film include the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Seine River. The film also features shots of various neighborhoods and streets throughout the city, including the Latin Quarter, where Patricia lives. The use of real-life locations was a hallmark of the French New Wave, as it allowed filmmakers to capture the energy and atmosphere of everyday life in the city.