Aspect Ratio in VIVRE SA VIE

Aspect Ratio in VIVRE SA VIE

2 Episodes

Observations on Film Art No. 44

One of the peaks of Jean-Luc Godard’s extraordinary 1960s creative run, VIVRE SA VIE finds the filmmaker combining brilliant visual design with a tragic character study of a young woman (Anna Karina) on a downward spiral. In this edition of Observations on Film Art, Professor David Bordwell examines Godard’s bold choice to shoot the film in the boxy, 4:3 aspect ratio that was then quickly becoming outmoded in favor of widescreen. Pushing aesthetic boundaries as always, Godard uses the format’s tight framing to maintain a rigorous, almost obsessive focus on his central character, resulting in a work of true cinematic portraiture.

Subscribe Share
Aspect Ratio in VIVRE SA VIE
  • Aspect Ratio in VIVRE SA VIE

    Episode 1

    One of the peaks of Jean-Luc Godard’s extraordinary 1960s creative run, VIVRE SA VIE finds the filmmaker combining brilliant visual design with a tragic character study of a young woman (Anna Karina) on a downward spiral. In this edition of Observations on Film Art, Professor David Bordwell exami...

  • Vivre sa vie

    Episode 2

    Directed by Jean-Luc Godard • 1962 • France
    Starring Anna Karina, Sady Rebbot, André Labarthe

    VIVRE SA VIE (a.k.a. MY LIFE TO LIVE) was a turning point for Jean-Luc Godard and remains one of his most dynamic films, combining brilliant visual design with a tragic character study. The lovely Anna ...