Alphaville: Defying Conventions

Lemmy Caution, the main character in the 1965 film Alphaville, fights for freedom and justice the only way he knows how; defying the conventions set by Alpha 60. Jean-Luc Godard, the writer-director of the film, fights for freedom and justice the only way he knows how; defying the conventions set by the majority filmmakers of his society. In Alphaville, Godard utilizes the foremost purpose of alternative cinema; defying the conventions set by the mainstream cinema. This particular example challenges the established concepts of both the science-fiction and noir genres. Godard's ability to break out of these genres also directly relates to the allegory that he has set in place in the city of Alphaville. These genres are successfully molded together to create an achievement with an abundance of creativity. A quality that Godard thought was lacking in films of the mainstream French and American cinemas of the time.