As you’re probably aware at this point, acclaimed filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard passed away earlier this week at the age of 91. The exact details of his passing have been kept private, but it is being reported that he used assisted suicide to end his own life. And as you might expect, when the world found out about Godard’s passing, people quickly showed their love for the filmmaker and his influence on cinema.
It goes without saying that Godard was one of the titans of filmmaking and the driving force behind the French New Wave movement. His breakout film, “Breathless,” is oft-regarded as one of the best features of all time. And throughout his career, he kept making incredible films such as “Vivre sa vie,” “Contempt,” “Masculin Féminin,” “Alphaville,” and many more.
Over on Twitter, the outpouring of love towards Godard has been non-stop since the news of his passing broke. One of the filmmakers who shared his thoughts on the matter is Edgar Wright, who called Godard “one of the most influential, iconoclastic filmmakers of them all.”
The Guardian collected a number of statements from other filmmakers from around the world, each telling stories about their love of Godard.
“He never made a picture that settled into any one rhythm or mood or point of view, and his films never lulled you into a dream state. They woke you up. They still do – and they always will,” said Martin Scorsese. “But if any artist can be said to have left traces of his own presence in his art, it’s Godard. And I must say right now, when so many people have gotten used to seeing themselves defined as passive consumers, his movies feel more necessary and alive than ever.”
Luca Guadagnino remembered Godard and said, “Godard was a shining light that showed us the way, movie after movie, idea after idea, language. We are more lonely today and yet his astonishing cinema will forever be our guide.”
Claire Denis offered up her condolences and said, “His presence made me brave. His films gave a belief not in cinema – for I was already a believer – but in the consideration of how necessary it was to find my own path. Even with my extremely small gifts.”
Clearly, Godard will always be remembered not just as a legendary French filmmaker who redefined cinema and was influential until the day he passed, but he will be thought of as one of the greatest to ever step behind a camera and make films. And it’s only fitting that he left this world on his own terms.