A very early short film by the French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard has been unearthed – 62 years after its then 24-year-old director shot it on the streets of Paris. Quite a find, we think you’ll agree.

Titled ‘Une Femme Coquette’ (literally: ‘Pretty Woman’), the nine-minute film was previously though to be lost by film historians. Now, however, god-level YouTube user David Heslin has uploaded it in its full grainy glory, and complete with English subtitles.

Based on a short story by Guy de Maupassant, the film is credited to “Hans Lucas”, Godard’s film critic alias, and even features a brief cameo from the New Wave icon at around the two minute mark.

It’s pretty amazing to watch the film today because it contains so much of the distinct filmmaking language and style that Godard would develop over the course of his subsequent 100+ directing credits, most notably his 1960 masterpiece Breathless.

Here’s hoping someone has the common sense and decency to search out the original reel and restore this precious piece of cinema history.

Published 21 Feb 2017

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