Raoul Coutard

Raoul Coutard (September 16, 1924 – November 8, 2016) was a notable French cinematographer renowned for his pivotal role in the Nouvelle Vague movement, especially through his collaborations with filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard. He also worked with fellow New Wave directors such as François Truffaut and Jacques Demy, contributing significantly to the evolution of French cinema.

Over the course of nearly fifty years, Coutard’s impressive portfolio includes more than 75 films. Initially intending to pursue a career in chemistry, he shifted his focus to photography due to financial constraints. In 1945, he was drafted into the French Indochina War, where he spent 11 years as a war photographer, later freelancing for Paris Match and Look.

Coutard’s foray into filmmaking began in 1956 when he was mistakenly recruited by Pierre Schoendoerffer for the film La Passe du Diable, despite having no experience with a motion picture camera. His first significant collaboration with Godard came in 1959 with À bout de souffle, facilitated by producer Georges de Beauregard against Godard’s initial choice for cinematographer.

Throughout the Nouvelle Vague era, Coutard provided the visual style for nearly all of Godard's films until 1967, when they parted ways after Week-end, marking a shift in Godard’s artistic direction. Their professional relationship resumed later with the films Passion and Prénom Carmen, showcasing Coutard’s lasting impact on cinema.