ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Catherine Breillat and the New Wave of Female Filmmakers

opinion-review · 2026-04-23

The article argues that while earlier female filmmakers like Nicole Vedres, Agnès Varda, and Maya Deren infused their work with feminine themes of prohibition, dependency, and marginality, their undeniable talent overshadowed this femininity. A new wave of women directors, exemplified by Catherine Breillat, now confronts puritanism by depicting sexuality and desire with unprecedented frontal audacity and erotic brutality.

Key facts

  • Earlier female filmmakers like Nicole Vedres, Agnès Varda, and Maya Deren depicted feminine motifs such as interdiction, dependency, and marginality.
  • The talent of Vedres, Varda, and Deren relegated their femininity to the background.
  • A new wave of female filmmakers represents sexuality and desire with frontal audacity and unprecedented erotic brutality.
  • Catherine Breillat is cited as an example of this new wave.
  • These filmmakers are taking on puritanism.
  • The article was published in artpress in May 1999.
  • The title translates to 'Sex makes you intelligent'.
  • The article suggests a shift from implicit feminine themes to explicit sexual representation.

Entities

Artists

  • Nicole Vedres
  • Agnès Varda
  • Maya Deren
  • Catherine Breillat

Institutions

  • artpress

Sources