Bertrand Tavernier (French pronunciation: [bɛʁtʁɑ̃ tavɛʁnje]; 25 April 1941 – 25 March 2021) was a French film director, screenwriter, and producer.[1]

Bertrand Tavernier
Photo of Bertrand Tavernier in 2017
Tavernier in 2017
Born(1941-04-25)25 April 1941
Lyon, France
Died25 March 2021(2021-03-25) (aged 79)
Occupations
  • Director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
  • actor
Years active1960–2016
Spouse
(m. 1965; div. 1981)
Children2; including Nils Tavernier

Life and career

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Tavernier was born in Lyon, France, the son of Geneviève (née Dumond) and René Tavernier, a publicist and writer, several years president of the French PEN club.[2] He said his father's publishing of a wartime resistance journal and aid to anti-Nazi intellectuals shaped his moral outlook as an artist. According to Tavernier, his father believed that words were "as important and as lethal as bullets".[3] Tavernier wanted to become a filmmaker from the age of 13 or 14 years. He said that his cinematic influences included filmmakers John Ford, William Wellman, Jean Renoir, Jean Vigo and Jacques Becker.[4] Tavernier was influenced by the 1968 general strike in France.[3] He associated with the OCI between 1973 and 1975, and was particularly struck by the writing of Leon Trotsky.[3] The first film director with whom he worked was Jean-Pierre Melville. Later, his first film (The Clockmaker, 1974) won the Prix Louis Delluc and the Silver Bear – Special Jury Prize award at the 24th Berlin International Film Festival.[4]

His early work was dominated by mysteries, but his later work is characterized by a more overt social commentary, highlighting his left-wing views (Life and Nothing But, Captain Conan) and presenting a critical picture of contemporary French society (It All Starts Today, Histoires de vies brisées : les double-peine de Lyon).

In 1986, his film Round Midnight won two César Awards (Best Original Music and Best Sound), the Best Film Award at the Venice Film Festival and the Oscar for Best Music (Original Score) at the 1987 Academy Awards.

He won the BAFTA for best film in a language other than English in 1990 for Life and Nothing But and a total of four César Awards and was joint winner of another.[5]

In 1995, his film L'Appât won the Golden Bear Award at the 45th Berlin International Film Festival.[6] Four years later, his film It All Starts Today won an Honourable Mention at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival.[7]

His film The Princess of Montpensier competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.[8]

Tavernier was married to screenwriter Colo Tavernier O'Hagan from 1965 to 1981.[9] They had two children. Their son, Nils Tavernier (born 1 September 1965), works as both a director and actor.[10] Their daughter, Tiffany Tavernier (born in 1967), is a novelist, screenwriter and assistant director.[11][12]

Tavernier was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 42nd International Film Festival of India in Goa for his outstanding achievements and work in the film industry.[13] He died on 25 March 2021 at age 79.[14]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
1960 Wen kümmert's? Assistant Director Short directed by Volker Schlöndorff
1962 The Bakery Girl of Monceau Narrator Short directed by Éric Rohmer [15]
1963 Contempt Publicist Le Mépris, directed by Jean-Luc Godard [15]
Le Doulos Production publicist Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville [15]
1964 The Terror of Rome Against the Son of Hercules Assistant Director Directed by Mario Caiano
Les baisers Director Short [15]
La chance et l'amour Director Short
1965 The 317th Platoon Press attache Directed by Pierre Schoendoerffer
1966 A Question of Honour Assistant Director Directed by Luigi Zampa
1967 Mexican Slayride Writer & Press attache Directed by Riccardo Freda
1968 Captain Singrid Writer Directed by Jean Leduc [15]
1969 Orgasmo Assistant Director Directed by Umberto Lenzi
Tout peut arriver Actor Directed by Philippe Labro
1970 Last Known Address Press attache Directed by José Giovanni
1974 The Clockmaker Director & Writer L'Horloger de Saint-Paul
Berlin International Film Festival - OCIC Award
Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Berlin Bear
National Board of Review Award - Top Foreign Films
Louis Delluc Prize for Best First Film
Nominated - Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Berlin Bear
[15]
1975 Let Joy Reign Supreme Director & Writer Que la fête commence...
César Award for Best Director
César Award for Best Writing
French Syndicate of Cinema Critics - Best Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Film
[15]
1976 The Judge and the Assassin Director & Writer César Award for Best Writing
Nominated - César Award for Best Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Director
[15]
1977 Spoiled Children Director & Writer Des enfants gâtés [15]
La question Producer Directed by Laurent Heynemann [15]
1979 Death Watch Director, Writer & Producer La mort en direct
Nominated - César Award for Best Writing
Nominated - Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Berlin Bear
Nominated - Chicago International Film Festival - Best Feature
[15]
1980 A Week's Vacation Director, Writer & Producer Nominated - Cannes Film Festival - Palme d'Or
Nominated - Chicago International Film Festival - Best Feature
1981 Coup de Torchon Director & Writer French Syndicate of Cinema Critics - Best Film
Nominated - Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Director
Nominated - César Award for Best Writing
Le petit Mitchell illustré Actor TV movie directed by Gérard Jourd'hui
1982 Philippe Soupault Director Documentary [16]
1983 La trace Writer & Associate producer Directed by Bernard Favre [17]
Mississippi Blues Director & Producer Documentary directed with Robert Parrish
La 8ème génération Director & Writer Short
Ciné citron Director & Writer Short
1984 A Sunday in the Country Director, Writer & Producer Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director
Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Cannes Film Festival - Best Director
César Award for Best Adaptation
London Film Critics' Circle Award for Foreign Language Film of the Year
Mainichi Film Award for Foreign Film Best One Award
National Board of Review Award - Top Foreign Films
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Film
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Nominated - BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language
Nominated - Cannes Film Festival - Palme d'Or
Nominated - César Award for Best Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Director
Nominated - National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film
Nominated - National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director
Nominated - National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay
Nominated - New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director
1986 Round Midnight Director & Writer Bodil Award for Best Non-American Film
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists - Best Foreign Director
Venice Film Festival - Pasinetti Award
Nominated - National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Nominated - New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Nominated - Venice Film Festival - Golden Lion
1987 Beatrice Director
Les mois d'avril sont meurtriers Writer Directed by Laurent Heynemann (2)
1988 Lyon, le regard intérieur Director & Writer Documentary
1989 Life and Nothing But Director & Writer BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language
European Film Award - Special Prize of the Jury
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Tokyo International Film Festival - Best Artistic Contribution Award
Viareggio EuropaCinema - Best Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Director
Nominated - César Award for Best Writing
Nominated - David di Donatello for Best Foreign Film
Nominated - National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Nominated - Tokyo International Film Festival - Tokyo Grand Prix
1990 Daddy Nostalgie Director, Writer & Narrator Nominated - Cannes Film Festival - Palme d'Or
Nominated - Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Un été après l'autre Technical advisor Directed by Anne-Marie Etienne
1991 Contre l'oubli Director Short
Der grüne Berg Writer Documentary directed by Fredi M. Murer
Ragazzi Technical advisor Directed by Mama Keïta
Jalousie Technical advisor Directed by Kathleen Fonmarty
1992 L.627 Director & Writer Nominated - César Award for Best Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Director
Nominated - César Award for Best Writing
Nominated - Venice Film Festival - Golden Lion
La guerre sans nom Director & Writer Documentary
Bergamo Film Meeting - Special Mention
1994 Revenge of the Musketeers Director & Writer
Veillées d'armes Producer Documentary directed by Marcel Ophüls
1995 The Bait Director & Writer Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Bear
Nominated - Gramado Film Festival - Best Latin Film
Nominated - Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists - European Silver Ribbon
1996 Captain Conan Director & Writer César Award for Best Director
Denver Film Festival - Krzysztof Kieslowski Award
Denver Film Festival - People's Choice Award
French Syndicate of Cinema Critics - Best Film
San Sebastián International Film Festival - FIPRESCI Prize
San Sebastián International Film Festival - Solidarity Award
Nominated - César Award for Best Film
Nominated - César Award for Best Writing
Nominated - San Sebastián International Film Festival - Golden Seashell
1997 De l'autre côté du périph Director Documentary directed with Nils Tavernier
Fred Executive producer Directed by Pierre Jolivet
Quand le chat sourit Actor TV movie directed by Sabine Azéma
1999 It All Starts Today Director & Writer Berlin International Film Festival - FIPRESCI Prize
Berlin International Film Festival - Honorable Mention
Berlin International Film Festival - Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
Norwegian International Film Festival - Ecumenical Film Award
San Sebastián International Film Festival - Audience Award
Fotogramas de Plata - Best Foreign Film
Sant Jordi Award for Best Foreign Film
Turia Award for Audience Award
Turia Award for Best Foreign Film
Nominated - Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Bear
Nominated - Goya Award for Best European Film
Nominated - Political Film Society Award for Democracy
Nominated - Political Film Society Award for Exposé
Nominated - Political Film Society Award for Human Rights
Nominated - Cinema Writers Circle Award for Best Foreign Film
2001 Histoires de vies brisées Director Documentary directed with Nils Tavernier (2)
Mon père, il m'a sauvé la vie Writer Directed by José Giovanni
Les enfants de Thiès Director TV movie directed with Nils Tavernier (3)
Pas d'histoires ! Co-Producer Directed by 13 directors
2002 Safe Conduct Director & Writer Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival - Best Film
Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival - Best Director
Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival - Best Screenplay
Nominated - Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Bear
2004 Holy Lola Director & Writer San Sebastián International Film Festival - Audience Award
2008 Lucifer et moi Writer Directed by Jean-Jacques Grand-Jouan
2009 In the Electric Mist Director Nominated - Berlin International Film Festival - Golden Bear
2010 The Princess of Montpensier Director & Writer Philadelphia Film Festival - Audience Award - Honorable Mention
Nominated - Cannes Film Festival - Palme d'Or
Nominated - Chicago International Film Festival - Best Feature
Nominated - César Award for Best Adaptation
2013 The French Minister (French: Quai d'Orsay)[18] Director, Writer & Actor San Sebastián International Film Festival - Best Screenplay[19]
Nominated - César Award for Best Adaptation
Nominated - Lumières Award for Best Film
Nominated - Lumières Award for Best Director
Nominated - Lumières Award for Best Screenplay
Nominated - San Sebastián International Film Festival - Best Film
2016 Voyage à travers le cinéma français/ My Journey Through French Cinema Director & Producer Documentary
Nominated - Cannes Film Festival - L'Œil d'or
Lumière ! L'aventure commence Producer Documentary

References

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  1. ^ Maslin, Janet (20 December 1982). "Clean Slate (1981) 'Coup De Torchon,' Life in a French Colony". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  2. ^ "Filmreference.com". 10 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Bertrand Tavernier speaks with the WSWS". World Socialist Web Site. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Berlinale 1974: Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  5. ^ Awards for Bertrand Tavernier at IMDb
  6. ^ "Berlinale: 1995 Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  7. ^ "Berlinale: 1999 Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Hollywood Reporter: Cannes Lineup". Hollywood Reporter. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  9. ^ Higgins, Lynn A.; Kline, T. Jefferson (23 September 2016). Bertrand Tavernier: Interviews. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-4968-0769-4.
  10. ^ "Nils Tavernier". AlloCiné (in French). Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  11. ^ "TAVERNIER Tiffany | Auteur • SABINE WESPIESER ÉDITEUR". SABINE WESPIESER ÉDITEUR (in French). Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Tiffany Tavernier". BFI. Retrieved 28 March 2021.[dead link]
  13. ^ "Cinema reaches newer heights, says Tavernier". The Hindu. 24 November 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  14. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (25 March 2021). "Bertrand Tavernier Dies: Legendary French Filmmaker Was 79". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Bertrand Tavernier". BFI. Archived from the original on 20 October 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  16. ^ Philippe Soupault et le surréalisme. OCLC 419260572. Retrieved 28 March 2021 – via worldcat.org.
  17. ^ La Trace. OCLC 408426735. Retrieved 28 March 2021 – via worldcat.org.
  18. ^ The French minister. OCLC 882931090. Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via worldcat.org.
  19. ^ "61 edition. 2013 Awards. (Jury Prize for Best Screenplay)". sansebastianfestival.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
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