new wave cinema
/nuː weɪv ˈsɪnəmə/
Meaning
'New wave cinema' refers to various highly influential, avant-garde film movements—most famously the French New Wave (Nouvelle Vague) of the late 1950s and 1960s—characterized by experimental narrative techniques, jump cuts, social realism, and a rejection of traditional Hollywood conventions. It is a formal term used in film studies and academic discussions to describe films that prioritize artistic expression and auteur theory over commercial appeal.
Examples
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The director's early work was heavily influenced by French new wave cinema and its improvisational style.
The director's early work was heavily influenced by French new wave cinema and its improvisational style.
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Many film students analyze new wave cinema to understand how modern editing techniques evolved.
Many film students analyze new wave cinema to understand how modern editing techniques evolved.
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His latest project features the jump cuts and handheld camera work typical of new wave cinema.
His latest project features the jump cuts and handheld camera work typical of new wave cinema.
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The retrospective at the local theater will showcase masterpieces of Japanese new wave cinema.
The retrospective at the local theater will showcase masterpieces of Japanese new wave cinema.
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She wrote her master's thesis on the social and political themes of Czechoslovak new wave cinema.
She wrote her master's thesis on the social and political themes of Czechoslovak new wave cinema.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I watched a new wave cinema yesterday.
✓ I watched a new wave film yesterday.
'Cinema' in this context refers to the genre, movement, or industry as a whole, not an individual movie. You cannot watch 'a cinema'.
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✗ The director created a new wave cinema style.
✓ The director adopted a new wave style.
'New wave cinema' already functions as a complete noun phrase. Adding 'style' to the end creates an awkward redundancy.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Characterized by jump cuts and low budgets, French ___ revolutionized the film industry.
💡 The experimental movement of the mid-20th century.
Show answer
new wave cinema
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The course covers the rise of ___ in post-war Europe.
💡 Avant-garde film movements.
Show answer
new wave cinema