SAUTET, CLAUDE

(1924-2000)

Actor, director, and screenwriter. Claude Sautet studied at theInstitut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques(IDHEC) before directing his first feature film, the comedyBonjour sourire(1955), followed byClasse tous riques(1960) andL'Arme à gauche(1964). His first major film wasLes choses de la vie(1969). It won thePrix Louis-Delluc, was nominated for a Golden Palm atCannes, and was remade in Hollywood by Mark Rydell asIntersection(1994). Sautet's films have received critical attention because of their intimate portrayals of couples and their attention to detail. These includeCésar et Rosalie(1972),Une histoire simple(1978),Garçon! (1983),Un coeur en hiver(1992), andNelly et Monsieur Arnaud(1995).Une histoire simplewas nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film andCésarawards for Best Director, Best Film, and Best Screenplay. Sautet won Césars for Best Director forUn coeur en hiverin 1993 andNelly et Monsieur Arnaudin 1996. The former was awarded a Silver Lion at Venice in 1992 and the latter received the Prix Louis-Delluc in 1995. Sautet also directedMax et les ferrailleurs(1971),Vincent,François,Paul,et les autres(1974),Mado(1976),Un mauvais fils(1980), andQuelques jours avec moi(1988). He worked as a scriptwriter on his own films, in addition toJacques Deray'sBorsalino(1970) andJean-Paul Rappeneau'sLes Maries de l'an II(1970), among others. He often hired actorsRomy Schneider,Yves Montand,Michel Piccoli, andEmmanuelle Béart.