Godard believed that aesthetics and politics were inseparable. His assertion is even supported by language: the word plan in French means both "lens" and "platform." Godard before 1972 was a staunch Maoist, and the "Dyga Vertov Group" he formed was ready for 1968 as early as 1966. The "Chinese Girl" filmed in 1967 even used the story of a group of young people who believed in Maoism to predict what would happen in the coming year.
When "Chinese Girl" was first released, it was attacked by Maoists, who believed that the film's portrayal of terrorism was at odds with Maoism. Yet Western Maoism's rejection of any middle ground, coupled with the inevitable betrayal of leftist positions by trade union representatives, made violence the only political strategy available. In the early 1980s, a large number of pessimists pointed out that terrorism was the only remaining legacy of 1968, which proved Godard's discernment.
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