This Netflix Comedy Just Broke an All-Time Record
Netflix’s latest Richard Linklater comedy has broken an awards record despite being completely ignored at this year’s Academy Awards.
Richard Linklater Is Most-Nominated American Filmmaker
Nouvelle Vague, one of two acclaimed Linklater movies released in 2025, has been nominated for 10 César Awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscar. It marks the most César nominations in history for a film directed by an American. It’s also the first time in several years that one movie has earned so many nominations. The last time a single film cracked 10 César noms was back in 2022, when Valérie Lemercier’s biopic Aline secured the same number. Nouvelle Vague hit Netflix in America back in November. It rolls out theatrically in international markets on Jan. 30 before debuting Feb. 5 on Netflix overseas.
Like Aline, a fictionalized portrait of Celine Dion, Nouvelle Vague also deals with one of the country's most celebrated figures. Linklater’s film details the making of Jean-Luc Goddard’s French New Wave classic Breathless (1960). The film has been roundly praised Guillaume Marbeck stars as Godard, while Zoey Deutch (Zombieland: Double Tap) and Aubry Dullin play Breathless stars Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo. The film was nominated for Best Film; Best Director for Linklater; Best Male Newcomer for Marbeck; Best Original Screenplay for Holly Gent and Vince Palma; sound; cinematography; production design; costume design; visual effects; and editing.
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But It Didn't Score Any Oscar Nominations
Despite its reputation, Nouvelle Vague failed to secure a single Oscar nomination when they were announced last week. But Linklater wasn’t completely shut out. His other 2025 effort, Blue Moon, received two nominations: Best Actor for star Ethan Hawke, and Best Original Screenplay for Robert Kaplow. Blue Moon also told a behind-the-scenes showbiz story, charting a night in the life of composer Larenz Hart (Hawke) during the premiere of his most-celebrated show, Oklahoma! Hawke stars alongside Bobby Canavale, Margaret Qualley, and Andrew Scott.
Nouvelle Vague was ultimately overlooked because, despite having Linklater attached as director, it was technically a foreign film financed entirely by French and European funds. While the picture was at one time a frontrunner to receive France’s nomination for Best International Feature consideration at the Academy Awards, it was ultimately passed over in favor of It Was Just an Accident, which received a nomination in the Oscar category.