Breathless
by Jean-Luc Godard
About_
Breathless (A bout de souffle) follows Michel Poiccard, a small-time crook and cop-killer on the run in Paris, and his
tumultuous romance with Patricia, an American student and aspiring journalist. Directed by Jean-Luc Godard, the
film is celebrated as a landmark of the French New Wave for its jump cuts, loose narrative style, and frank
exploration of love, freedom, and self-destruction. This study guide walks students through all five parts of the
story, from Michel’s crime spree to the couple’s final, fateful choice. This study guide contains 65 questions across
5 chapter sections (50 Factual + 15 Critical), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 5 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (50 total), 5 sets of 3 Critical Analysis
Questions (15 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence prompt +
critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 11-12 (Intro Film Studies)
Teacher Note_
This guide gives students a clear scene-by-scene path through a film that’s as much about style and philosophy as
plot, making an unconventional classic approachable. The factual and critical question sets build comprehension
while pushing students to grapple with the film’s ideas about freedom, love, and consequence. It’s ready to use, so
you can spend your prep time on discussion instead of question-writing