Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless Manuscript Set for Auction

The only known manuscript of Jean-Luc Godard's iconic 1960 film 'Breathless' (À Bout de Souffle) will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in June, with estimates ranging from €400,000 to €600,000. This 70-page document, sourced from the estate of the film's producer Georges de Beauregard, includes Godard's handwritten notes and synopses of key scenes, such as the film's dramatic opening and Jean Seberg's character selling the New York Herald Tribune. Godard's unique filmmaking approach, which eschewed traditional scripts in favor of last-minute dialogue writing, has rendered such manuscripts extremely rare. The auction will also feature photographs and other memorabilia from De Beauregard's archive, offering insights into the New Wave movement's impact on cinema. 'Breathless' is celebrated for its innovative style and has influenced many filmmakers, including Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan. The manuscript's auction marks a significant moment in preserving the history of French cinema.