Cahiers du Cinéma: A Seminal Film Magazine
Cahiers du Cinéma, established in 1951, is a venerable French film publication that played a pivotal role in the development of film criticism and filmmaking. Founded by André Bazin, Jacques Doniol-Valcroze, and Joseph-Marie Lo Duca, it succeeded the influential Revue du Cinéma. The magazine emerged as a platform for young and talented critics, including Jacques Rivette, Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol, and François Truffaut, who later became prominent filmmakers.
Initially guided by Bazin's belief in film realism, Cahiers underwent a transformation in the mid-1950s. A group of younger writers, led by Truffaut, began challenging Bazin's views and advocating for the importance of the director's vision, known as "la politique des auteurs." This shift paved the way for the "auteur theory," which elevated the status of directors as primary authors of their works and re-evaluated Hollywood films as worthy of critical attention.
The magazine also played a crucial role in the emergence of the French New Wave, a revolutionary film movement of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Many of Cahiers' critics, including Godard and Truffaut, transitioned from writing to filmmaking, experimenting with innovative techniques and challenging cinematic conventions. Their films laid the groundwork for a new era of French cinema.
Over the decades, Cahiers has undergone various editorial changes and adapted to evolving trends in film criticism. It has published insightful articles, controversial opinions, and annual lists of the top ten films. While it has faced financial challenges in recent years, Cahiers du Cinéma remains a respected and influential publication in the international film community.