French cinema bids farewell to Bertrand Blier, the French director who won an Oscar in 1979 for his film Prepare your tissues (released in Spain as Do you want to be my wife’s lover?), died this Tuesday at the age of 85, as confirmed by sources close to him to the French press.
Blier, born on March 14, 1939 in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the outskirts of Paris, was the son of the renowned actor Bernard Blier. His career took off in 1963 with the documentary Hitler, don’t knowbut it was in the seventies and eighties when he achieved his greatest success, with classics like The ball breakers (1974), cold buffet (1979) y Dress suit (1986). Through these works, Blier consolidated a style marked by his black humor, his transgressive vision and an often scathing analysis of human and social relationships. At the same time, it was noted that his main driving force on numerous occasions was provocation for provocation’s sake, which earned him numerous negative reviews.
The director was also noted for his ability to direct some of the most iconic actors of his time. Among them, Gérard Depardieu, who achieved great notoriety working under Blier’s direction in eight films, and whose collaboration left an imprint on fundamental titles of French cinema. What’s more, thanks to Blier and his The ball breakers, chronicling a pair of young criminals who travel through France in a spiral of sex and crime, Depardieu became a star. Currently, the actor is currently being investigated for sexual assaults and sexist behavior with female filming partners.
Blier was a storyteller who was not afraid to take on controversial topics or explore the limits of comedy and drama. His cinema, often provocative and loaded with irony, became a reflection of the cultural and social tensions of his time. Among his later titles, almost all released in Spain, stand out Too beautiful for you (1989), my man (1996), The actors (2000), How much do you love me? (2005), An inopportune visit (2010) with Jean Dujardin and Albert Dupontel. In 2019 he released his latest film, Exceptional convoy, an unfunny comedy with Depardieu and Christian Clavier.