Which editing style is characteristic of the French New Wave?

The editing style that is characteristic of the French New Wave is identified by jump cuts and freeze frames. This approach emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a means to break away from traditional filmmaking conventions. Jump cuts involve the abrupt transition between shots that disrupt the continuity of time and space, often creating a sense of urgency or disorientation that mirrors the emotional state of characters or the thematic elements of the film. This technique allows filmmakers to convey ideas quickly and emphasizes the artificiality of cinema, which was a core principle of the French New Wave movement.

Freeze frames serve a similar purpose by momentarily pausing the action, drawing the audience’s attention to a specific moment or idea, and encouraging reflection on the narrative. This method allows filmmakers to play with time and encourages viewers to consider the meaning of the paused scene rather than merely consuming the story in a straightforward manner.

In contrast, continuity editing focuses on maintaining a seamless flow of action across scenes, which is more typical of classic Hollywood filmmaking and is not aligned with the experimental spirit of the French New Wave. Montage sequences also serve a different function by juxtaposing images to create meaning or evoke emotions, but they do not embody the same emphasis on disjointed pacing and narrative