Happy 74th Birthday, Claire Denis! Born today in 1946, this French professor, writer and film director is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and passionate contemporary filmmakers working in France today.
Since her debut feature, the 1988 French/West German/Cameroonian drama film 'Chocolat', Denis has continued to make beautiful and challenging works.
Since her debut feature, the 1988 French/West German/Cameroonian drama film 'Chocolat', Denis has continued to make beautiful and challenging works.
Among her credits, Denis is best known for co-writing and directing the 1990 French/West German drama film 'S'en fout la mort' ('No Fear, No Die').
The film follows two friends Dan (Isaach De Bankolé) and Jocelyn (Alex Descas). Both train birds for illegal cock fights in the basement of a restaurant. However, one has trouble handling the violence inflicted on the animals.
Denis is also best known for co-writing and directing the 1999 French drama/LGBT film 'Beau Travail'. The film was loosely based off of American novelist, short story write and poet Herman Melville's 1888 nautical adventure fiction novella Billy Budd.
The film tells of Chief Adjutant Galoup (Denis Lavant), who recalls his once glorious life, leading troops through the heat of the Gulf of Djibouti. His existence there was happy, strict and regimented, but the arrival of a promising young recruit.
However, Gilles Sentain (Grégoire Colin) plants the seeds of jealousy in Galoup's mind. He feels compelled to stop him from coming to the attention of the commandant who he admires, but who ignores him. Ultimately, his jealousy leads to the destruction of both Sentain and himself.
Parts of the soundtrack of 'Beau Travail' (French for "good work") are from English composer, conductor and pianist Benjamin Britten's opera based on the novella. The film has been called one of the greatest features of the 1990s.
Other acclaimed works by Denis include the 2001 French erotic horror/thriller film 'Trouble Every Day', the 2008 French/German drama film '35 Shots of Rum', and the 2009 French/Cameroonian drama/political drama film 'White Material'.
Ultimately, the films of Denis ask us to examine the lines that divide us: the intrusion of the body, of borders, of culture and of limits, asks both Denis’ characters and her audience to come face to face with difference.
It is intrusion of which unwillingly invites us look at what lines are being crossed and, subsequently, what transgressions are taking place.
It is intrusion of which unwillingly invites us look at what lines are being crossed and, subsequently, what transgressions are taking place.
Denis' work has dealt with themes of colonial and post-colonial West Africa, as well as issues in modern France, and continues to influence European cinematic identity.
Denis has been active from 1972–present.
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