Instead of Writing Criticism, I Make a Film

Source “Instead of writing criticism, I make a film.”

Jean-Luc Godard changed cinema forever. However, he did not start his career behind a camera. Originally, he worked as a passionate film critic. He wrote for influential French journals. Yet, he never viewed directing as a separate career path. For him, filmmaking served as a continuation of his writing.

This famous quote captures his unique philosophy. It blurs the line between analyzing art and creating it. Godard suggests that the camera acts as a pen. Therefore, a director writes essays using images instead of words. This concept revolutionized the French New Wave. It challenged how audiences understood movies.

Today, we often hear variations of this sentiment. People quote it to validate visual storytelling. But where did it truly begin? To understand the depth of this idea, we must look back at history. We must examine Godard’s original words.

The Origin of the Philosophy

We can trace this concept back to 1962. specifically, it appeared in a December issue of Cahiers du Cinéma. This magazine served as the bible for French film enthusiasts. In a candid interview, Godard explained his transition from critic to director.

He refused to see a distinction between the two roles. He stated that he still considered himself a critic. In fact, he felt more like a critic than ever before. He simply changed his delivery method.

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Godard described himself as an essayist. He claimed to write novels with film. If cinema disappeared, he would switch to television. If television vanished, he would return to pencil and paper. The medium mattered less than the message.

Consequently, the quote is not about superiority. He does not claim that filming is better than writing. Instead, he highlights the continuity of his artistic expression. He viewed all his work as one long, critical essay.

Deciphering the Original French

Translation often shifts meaning. The original French phrase offers nuance. Godard said, “Au lieu de faire une critique, je fais un film.” This translates directly to our topic. However, he added a crucial follow-up.

He noted that he introduces a “critical dimension” into the work. This addition is vital. It implies that the film itself performs the work of criticism. The movie deconstructs cinema while participating in it.

For example, his films often break the fourth wall. Characters address the audience directly. The editing creates jarring interruptions. These techniques critique the polish of Hollywood movies.

Therefore, Godard did not abandon criticism. He embedded it into the celluloid. Every shot serves as an opinion on how movies work. This approach defined the French New Wave style. It turned directors into active commentators.

How the Quote Evolved Over Time

Quotes often change as they travel. This statement is no exception. Over the decades, other writers reshaped Godard’s words. Most notably, Roger Ebert popularized a different version.

The famous American critic frequently referenced Godard. However, Ebert often added emphasis that did not exist originally. Starting in the 1970s, Ebert began citing a sharper variation. He wrote that Godard said the “only” way to critique a movie is to make another one.

Later, Ebert tweaked the phrasing again. He claimed Godard called it the “best” way. These changes seem small. Yet, they alter the fundamental meaning.

Godard spoke about his personal process. In contrast, Ebert’s versions sound like universal rules. They transform a personal reflection into a prescriptive command.

Other critics followed Ebert’s lead. Gene Siskel used similar phrasing in the 1980s. Journalists in the 1990s repeated the “best way” variation. Slowly, the misquote became the accepted truth.

The Shift from Personal to Prescriptive

Why does this distinction matter? The evolution of the quote reveals a fascination with authority.

Godard’s original statement was humble. He essentially said, “This is how I work.” He acknowledged his specific path from writer to director.

Conversely, the evolved quotes are absolute. They suggest that writing criticism is inferior. They imply that only filmmakers truly understand cinema. This creates a hierarchy that Godard likely never intended.

Godard respected the written word. After all, he spent years writing furiously about film. He understood the value of text.

However, the “best way” version appeals to filmmakers. It validates their work above critics. It serves as a shield against bad reviews. If a critic dislikes a movie, the director can retort, “Make your own film then.”

This interprets the quote as a defense mechanism. But Godard meant it as an artistic methodology. He wasn’t dismissing critics; he was expanding the definition of criticism.

Modern Applications of the Idea

Today, technology has caught up with Godard’s philosophy. We live in the age of the video essay. Platforms like YouTube allow anyone to critique films using video.

Creators edit clips together to make arguments. They use voiceovers and visual juxtapositions. In a way, they fulfill Godard’s vision. They are writing criticism by making a film.

Furthermore, modern directors continue this tradition. Filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino or Wes Anderson fill their movies with references. They comment on film history through their visual choices.

Thus, the critical dimension remains alive. We analyze movies by remixing them. We deconstruct scenes by re-editing them.

Godard’s 1962 observation predicted our current media landscape. The tools have become accessible to everyone. Now, any critic can pick up a camera. Any filmmaker can act as a critic.

Conclusion

Jean-Luc Godard’s words resonate decades later. “Instead of writing criticism, I make a film” remains a powerful manifesto. It reminds us that creation and analysis are linked.

We should remember the original context. It was not an attack on writing. Rather, it was a celebration of cinema’s intellectual potential.

Godard taught us to look closer. He showed us that a camera can think. Whether we write with a pen or a lens, the goal remains the same. We strive to understand the art form we love. Ultimately, the best criticism adds value to the conversation, regardless of the medium.

Quote Me, maybe?

the quote G.O.A.T.