The New Wave (French: Nouvelle Vague, French pronunciation: [nuvɛl vaɡ]), also called the French New Wave, is a French art film movement that emerged in the late 1950s. The movement was characterized by its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions, favoring experimentation and a spirit of iconoclasm. New Wave filmmakers explored new approaches to editing, visual style, and narrative, often engaging with the social and political upheavals of the era through the use of irony or the exploration of existential themes. The New Wave is often considered one of the most influential movements in the history of cinema.