The 34 essays of this collection by leading international scholars reassess Truffaut's impact on cinema as they locate the unique quality of his thematic obsessions and his remarkable narrative techniques. Almost 30 years after his death, we are presented with strikingly original perspectives on his background, influences, and importance.Bridges a gap in film scholarship with a series of 34 original essays by leading film scholars that assess the lasting impact of Truffaut's work * Provides striking new readings of individual films, and new perspectives on Truffaut's background, influences, and importance * Offers a wide choice of critical perspectives ranging from current reflections in film theories to articles applying methodologies that have recently been neglected or considered controversial * Includes international viewpoints from a range of European countries, and from Japan, New Zealand, and Brazil * Draws on Truffaut's archives at the BiFI (Bibliotheque du film) in Paris * Includes an extended interview with French filmmaker Arnaud Desplechin concerning Truffaut's shifting stature in French film culture and his manner of thought and work as a director