A love letter to Jean-Luc Godard’s innovative vision and French New Wave cinema from acclaimed Oscar-nominated director Richard Linklater. Our season opener is a film no cinephile (or anyone for that matter) should miss!
Paris. The summer of 1959. Film critic turned director Jean-Luc Godard is about to make his first feature Breathless, a film destined to rewrite the cinematic rule book, make Godard a global household name, and both its stars – Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo – into charismatic icons. More than 60 years later Richard Linklater pays homage to this legendary film, Godard’s genius and the movement that directly inspired his own radical and inventive work with the exuberant Nouvelle Vague.
Evoking the film and era alike in this crisp and chic black-and-white reproduction of 1960’s Paris, Nouvelle Vague is an affectionate and meticulous portrait of the making of Breathless, when cinema burst onto the streets, breaking technical and creative conventions that brought a directness, as well as the rebellious zeitgeist of the time, to the screen in a way that felt daring and new. Capturing this youthful dynamism and creative chaos at the heart of one of the world’s most beloved and influential films, Linklater has created an ode to not only the original film and director, but to the transformative power of cinema and its enduring legacy.
Getting Here and Getting In:
Parking at UWA is free after 5pm. We recommend car parks 1 and 5: check this map.
Allow time for parking: UWA hosts many events and sometimes it takes a little longer to find a space.
Doors open at 6pm. In 2026 the box office will be cashless.
Food and Drink
The pay-bar offers wines, beers, soft and hot drinks, along with chips, chocolate and, importantly, ice creams!
The Somerville Auditorium is also a BYO venue: bring your own picnic and favourite tipple.
We have many picnic tables and grassed areas.
Pre-ordering your gourmet pizza is crucial: order here.
Enjoying your film
The film starts at 8pm until 1 March 2026. From 2 March 2026 the film starts at 7.30pm.
Cushions courtesy of Lotterywest are available.
Seats are not assigned: on your arrival you can reserve a seat with a rug or cushion. Please don't leave single seat gaps.
We have plenty of seating, please do not bring your own.
There are four locations suitable for wheelchair users - please speak to a staff member on your arrival.
Nights can soemtimes be cool, so please rug up.
We treat the Auditorium for mosquitoes, but still bring your preferred mozzie spray.
Lost Property
If you've lost something during your night out, you can report it here.
Visit Perth Festival's website for more information.