Jean-Luc Godard in Retrospect Part II: Fanaticism and Failure (1966–2022)

Quillette Narrated

The article delves into Jean-Luc Godard's transition from his early cinematic period, characterized by eclectic experimentation and cultural references, to his Maoist phase under the influence of Jean-Pierre Gorin. Gorin, a Marxist critic, introduced Godard to postmodernist and Marxist theories, leading to a shift in Godard's filmmaking style and themes. This shift was marked by an overt critique of American capitalism and imperialism, as seen in films like "Two or Three Things I Know About Her" and "Week End."

Godard's collaboration with Gorin in the Dziga-Vertov Group produced politically charged films, but they received mixed reviews and were criticized for their didacticism and lack of artistic merit. The article also discusses Godard's personal life, including his marriages, his falling out with former colleagues like François Truffaut, and controversies surrounding his antisemitic remarks.