Director Richard Linklater's latest film, "Nouvelle Vague," delves into the behind-the-scenes production of Jean-Luc Godard's iconic 1959 film, "Breathless." This dream project, a recreation of Godard's whirlwind, experimental, and guerrilla-style filmmaking, features Zoey Deutch as actress Jean Seberg and Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo. The film captures the chaotic yet joyful genius of Godard, who profoundly impacted cinema.

Over a decade ago, on the set of "Everybody Wants Some!!," Linklater expressed his desire for Zoey Deutch to play Jean Seberg in this project. True to his word, when "Nouvelle Vague" finally commenced production, Deutch reunited with Linklater in Paris, France, to embody the French New Wave pioneer. The film aimed to emulate the spirit and style of Godard's original production, though with a distinct methodology. As Deutch noted, recreating a period film meticulously requires significant detail, including special effects not available to Godard in his time. However, the collaborative spirit, energy, and shared motivation among the cast and crew mirrored the pioneering excitement of making a first film, creating a deeply special experience for everyone involved, many of whom had a personal connection to the era and artists.

The filmmaking process for "Nouvelle Vague" was described as profoundly impactful by both Deutch and Dullin. Linklater's unique approach involves as much rehearsal time as shooting, a stark contrast to contemporary studio productions. Aubry Dullin, making his on-screen debut, found this rehearsal-intensive method to be a transformative way of working, stating it would change his approach to future castings and films. Deutch echoed this sentiment, calling the experience a "fantasy version of being an actress"—a rare and magical journey over her 17-year career. She expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to learn French, portray an incredible woman, meet amazing people, shoot in Paris, and ultimately attend Cannes.

One of the most challenging and iconic scenes to recreate was the "Herald Tribune" sequence from "Breathless." Deutch and Dullin spent an entire day meticulously practicing and restructuring this pivotal moment. They watched the original scene on mute, timing out the choreography, reversing movements for their own shot, and even filling in imagined dialogue within precise time constraints (e.g., "four seconds to say this line, three seconds"). Deutch described it as a "dance of total recreation" combined with interpretation, where physical exactitude met imagined emotional context. To ensure precision on a wide shot without visible marks, Deutch used sticks or leaves as indicators on the ground. This intricate process is even documented in a 30-minute "making-of" film by French artist Lucy, offering a meta glimpse into their dedication.

Aubry Dullin's journey to his first big role was equally unique. He discovered the casting call on Facebook, which sought individuals resembling a young Belmondo. Recalling a past compliment about his resemblance to Belmondo, he decided to audition without much stress, trusting his natural similarities to the iconic actor would shine through. "Nouvelle Vague" is now available for streaming on Netflix.