Hollywood's Future: A Director's Take on Tariffs and Film Making

Richard Linklater, a well-known director, recently shared his thoughts on a significant topic: President Trump's proposed 100% tax on films made outside the U. S. He was speaking at the Cannes press conference for his latest film, "Nouvelle Vague, " which is about the making of Jean-Luc Godard's "Breathless. " Linklater was skeptical about the tariff idea. He pointed out that Trump often changes his mind. He also mentioned that the film industry is a major export for the U. S. So, imposing such a tax could be counterproductive. Linklater also talked about the cost of making films in the U. S. He believes that the cost of making independent films has remained the same for decades. It all depends on the budget available. Zoey Deutch, who plays Jean Seberg in "Nouvelle Vague, " joined the conversation. She expressed her love for filming in Los Angeles. She finds the city's history and culture inspiring, much like Paris. She would love to see more movies being made in L. A. Linklater agreed with Deutch. He admires how the French government supports their film industry. He thinks the U. S. could learn from this. The French government supports the film industry from production to distribution. This ensures the industry remains healthy and thriving. Linklater believes the U. S. could benefit from a similar approach. "Nouvelle Vague" had its premiere at Cannes and was well-received. Guillaume Marbeck stars as Godard, and Aubry Dullin plays Jean-Paul Belmondo. This is Linklater's first film shot entirely in French. Critics have praised the film, with some calling it a highlight of the festival. During the press conference, Linklater also reflected on the state of cinema. He is optimistic about the future. He sees a lot of passion from young people, whom he calls the "Letterboxd generation. " Despite the challenges, he believes cinema will continue to thrive. He points out that there are more films being made than ever before, especially independent films. However, getting these films seen is the real challenge. Linklater believes that cinema has always faced threats, but it has always adapted. He sees the current challenges as just another phase in the industry's evolution. He is confident that the love for storytelling and feature films will keep cinema going. He also believes that the industry will find ways to overcome the current challenges and continue to thrive.