The question of what cinema can be is at the heart of Fabrice Aragno’s debut feature, Ce que peut être le cinéma (What Cinema Can Be). The film, a deeply personal and formally inventive work, arrives as a poignant tribute to the late Jean-Luc Godard, with whom Aragno collaborated for over a decade. More than a biographical portrait, it’s a meditation on the creative process, the nature of filmmaking, and the enduring legacy of one of cinema’s most radical figures. The film premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in August 2023, where it garnered significant critical acclaim, and is now gaining wider recognition for its unique approach to cinematic storytelling.
Aragno’s film isn’t a traditional documentary filled with talking heads and archival footage. Instead, it’s constructed from fragments – images, sounds, and ideas – gathered during his years working alongside Godard. These elements, often raw and unfinished, are woven together in a way that mirrors the fluidity and experimentation that characterized Godard’s own work. The result is a film that feels less like a definitive statement and more like an ongoing conversation, a glimpse into the workshop of a cinematic master. The film explores the very essence of what cinema is capable of achieving, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional narrative structures.
A Decade Alongside a Master
Fabrice Aragno’s relationship with Jean-Luc Godard began in the early 2010s. He served as a collaborator on several of Godard’s later films, including Goodbye to Language (2014) and The Image Book (2018). According to an interview with Screen Daily, Aragno described his role as “a kind of assistant, but likewise a sounding board, someone to discuss ideas with.” Screen Daily This close proximity afforded him a unique perspective on Godard’s working methods and his evolving vision of cinema.
Ce que peut être le cinéma doesn’t shy away from the complexities of their relationship. It acknowledges the challenges of working with a filmmaker as demanding and uncompromising as Godard, but also celebrates the intellectual stimulation and artistic freedom that came with it. The film presents a portrait of Godard not as a distant icon, but as a flawed, passionate, and endlessly curious human being. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of mentorship in the creative process.
Form Reflects Content: A Cinematic Puzzle
The film’s structure is deliberately fragmented and non-linear. Aragno eschews traditional narrative conventions in favor of a more associative and poetic approach. Images and sounds are juxtaposed in unexpected ways, creating a sense of disorientation and inviting the viewer to actively participate in the meaning-making process. This stylistic choice isn’t arbitrary. it’s a direct reflection of Godard’s own experimental filmmaking techniques.
The film incorporates a wealth of archival material, including footage from Godard’s earlier films, as well as behind-the-scenes glimpses of their collaborations. However, this material isn’t presented in a straightforward documentary fashion. Instead, it’s recontextualized and reinterpreted, often stripped of its original meaning and imbued with new significance. This process of deconstruction and reconstruction is central to the film’s exploration of cinematic language.
Beyond Biography: A Universal Reflection on Filmmaking
Whereas Ce que peut être le cinéma is undoubtedly a personal tribute to Jean-Luc Godard, its scope extends far beyond biography. It’s a film about the challenges and possibilities of filmmaking itself, about the struggle to find new ways of expressing oneself through the medium of cinema. Aragno’s film resonates with anyone who has ever grappled with the creative process, regardless of their artistic discipline. It asks fundamental questions about the nature of art, the role of the artist, and the relationship between form and content.
The film’s impact lies in its ability to provoke thought and inspire dialogue. It doesn’t offer straightforward answers or definitive conclusions. Instead, it invites viewers to engage with the questions it raises and to formulate their own interpretations. This open-endedness is a hallmark of Godard’s work, and it’s a quality that Aragno has successfully captured in his debut feature. The film’s exploration of cinematic boundaries and its innovative approach to storytelling are likely to influence a new generation of filmmakers.
Looking Ahead: Continued Exploration of Cinematic Form
Fabrice Aragno’s Ce que peut être le cinéma is a remarkable achievement, a film that is both deeply personal and intellectually stimulating. It stands as a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Jean-Luc Godard and a bold statement about the future of cinema. The film continues to be screened at festivals and in limited theatrical releases internationally, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience Aragno’s vision. Further screenings and distribution plans are expected to be announced in the coming months.
What are your thoughts on the film’s innovative approach to documentary filmmaking? Share your perspectives in the comments below, and experience free to share this article with others interested in the work of Jean-Luc Godard and the future of cinema.
