Philippe de Broca
Encyclopedia
Philippe de Broca was a French
film director
.
Born Philippe Claude Alex de Broca de Ferrussac in Neuilly-sur-Seine
, Hauts-de-Seine
, the son of a photographer of noble origins. de Broca was a cinephile from an early age, and he studied at the l'École technique de photographie et de cinématographie (ETPC). To carry out his national service, de Broca went to Algeria during the Algerian War where he worked in the French army's film section for three years and saw a side of life which he disliked and wished to view in a different, more eccentric, light. de Broca began his career working as a camera man on several African documentaries, and later as an assistant to some of the most prominent directors of the French nouvelle vague (New Wave) movement in the 50s. He served an apprenticeship with Henri Decoin
, became assistant to Claude Chabrol
on Le Beau Serge
(Handsome Serge) in 1957, and later assisted François Truffaut
with Les quatre-cent coups
(The 400 Blows).
He made his first film in 1959, a low-budget improvisational comedy Les Jeux de l'amour
. At the 10th Berlin International Film Festival
it won the Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize. de Broca did not have a real success, however, until directing Cartouche (film)
(1962). Cartouche was the first of a series of major box office hits by de Broca, including L'Homme de Rio
(1964) and Les Tribulations d'un chinois en Chine (1965). He often worked in comedy, but not exclusively. He was well known for his combination of madcap farce and adventure, within France and beyond. His anti-war film Le Roi de cœur
achieved international popularity (after suffering at the box office in France), and gained cult status in America. de Broca's most recent hit was Le Bossu
(1997).
Throughout his career de Broca worked with many giants of French cinema, among them Jean-Paul Belmondo
, Patrick Dewaere
, Catherine Deneuve
, Daniel Auteuil
, Philippe Noiret
, Yves Montand
and Jean Rochefort
. Many of his films' lead actors and actresses are in multiple films of his. These people include Geneviève Bujold
, Jean-Pierre Cassel
, Nicole Garcia
, Catherine Deneuve
, Marthe Keller
, Jean-Paul Belmondo
, Annie Girardot
, and Philippe Noiret
.
De Broca had a son with Marthe Keller in 1971. He was married to another of his actresses Margot Kidder
(1983–1984), and later to actress Valérie Rojan, with whom he had two children.
De Broca died in Neuilly-sur-Seine
, France, as a result of cancer
. He was awarded the Legion of Honor for his contributions to French culture.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
.
Born Philippe Claude Alex de Broca de Ferrussac in Neuilly-sur-Seine
Neuilly-sur-Seine
Neuilly-sur-Seine is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.Although Neuilly is technically a suburb of Paris, it is immediately adjacent to the city and directly extends it. The area is composed of mostly wealthy, select residential...
, Hauts-de-Seine
Hauts-de-Seine
Hauts-de-Seine is designated number 92 of the 101 départements in France. It is part of the Île-de-France region, and covers the western inner suburbs of Paris...
, the son of a photographer of noble origins. de Broca was a cinephile from an early age, and he studied at the l'École technique de photographie et de cinématographie (ETPC). To carry out his national service, de Broca went to Algeria during the Algerian War where he worked in the French army's film section for three years and saw a side of life which he disliked and wished to view in a different, more eccentric, light. de Broca began his career working as a camera man on several African documentaries, and later as an assistant to some of the most prominent directors of the French nouvelle vague (New Wave) movement in the 50s. He served an apprenticeship with Henri Decoin
Henri Decoin
Henri Decoin was a French film director and screenwriter. He directed 50 films between 1933 and 1964. He was also a swimmer who competed for France in the men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1908 Summer Olympics and the water polo tournament at the 1912 Summer Olympics.-Selected filmography:*...
, became assistant to Claude Chabrol
Claude Chabrol
Claude Chabrol was a French film director, a member of the French New Wave group of filmmakers who first came to prominence at the end of the 1950s...
on Le Beau Serge
Le Beau Serge
Le Beau Serge is a French film directed by Claude Chabrol, released in 1958. It is often considered the first product of the Nouvelle Vague or "French New Wave" film movement.-Synopsis:...
(Handsome Serge) in 1957, and later assisted François Truffaut
François Truffaut
François Roland Truffaut was an influential film critic and filmmaker and one of the founders of the French New Wave. In a film career lasting over a quarter of a century, he remains an icon of the French film industry. He was also a screenwriter, producer, and actor working on over twenty-five...
with Les quatre-cent coups
The 400 Blows
The 400 Blows is a 1959 French film directed by François Truffaut. One of the defining films of the French New Wave, it displays many of the characteristic traits of the movement. The story revolves around Antoine Doinel, an ordinary adolescent in Paris, who is thought by his parents and teachers...
(The 400 Blows).
He made his first film in 1959, a low-budget improvisational comedy Les Jeux de l'amour
Les Jeux de l'amour
Les Jeux de l'amour is a 1960 French comedy film directed by Philippe de Broca. It was entered into the 10th Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize.-Cast:* Jean-Pierre Cassel - Victor...
. At the 10th Berlin International Film Festival
10th Berlin International Film Festival
The 10th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 24 June to 5 July 1960.-Jury:* Harold Lloyd * Georges Auric* Henry Reed* Sohrab Modi* Floris Luigi Ammannati* Hidemi Ima* Joaquín de Entrambasaguas* Frank Wisbar...
it won the Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize. de Broca did not have a real success, however, until directing Cartouche (film)
Cartouche (film)
Cartouche is a 1962 French film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Claudia Cardinale.- Plot :In the 18th century, Louis Dominique Bourguignon is working with Malichot's gang, but their ways are too 'unethical' for him. He hides out from Malichot and joins the army,...
(1962). Cartouche was the first of a series of major box office hits by de Broca, including L'Homme de Rio
L'Homme de Rio
That Man From Rio is a 1964 adventure film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Françoise Dorléac, the sister of Catherine Deneuve. Concidentally, Belmondo would later star with Deneuve in the 1969 film Mississippi Mermaid, also a United Artists film...
(1964) and Les Tribulations d'un chinois en Chine (1965). He often worked in comedy, but not exclusively. He was well known for his combination of madcap farce and adventure, within France and beyond. His anti-war film Le Roi de cœur
King of Hearts (1966 film)
King of Hearts is a 1966 French comedy-drama film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Alan Bates....
achieved international popularity (after suffering at the box office in France), and gained cult status in America. de Broca's most recent hit was Le Bossu
Le Bossu (1997 film)
Le Bossu is a French swashbuckler film directed by Philippe de Broca, released in 1997...
(1997).
Throughout his career de Broca worked with many giants of French cinema, among them Jean-Paul Belmondo
Jean-Paul Belmondo
Jean-Paul Belmondo is a French actor initially associated with the New Wave of the 1960s.-Career:Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, west of Paris, Belmondo did not perform well in school, but developed a passion for boxing and football."Did you box professionally very long?" "Not very long...
, Patrick Dewaere
Patrick Dewaere
Patrick Dewaere was a French film actor. He was born in Saint-Brieuc, Côtes-d'Armor, son of French actress Mado Maurin. His five siblings, Jean-Pierre Maurin , Yves-Marie Maurin , Dominique Maurin , Jean-Francois Maurin and Marie-Veronique Maurin Patrick Dewaere (26 January 1947 – 16 July 1982)...
, Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve is a French actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of aloof and mysterious beauties in films such as Repulsion and Belle de jour . Deneuve was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in Indochine; she also won César Awards for that...
, Daniel Auteuil
Daniel Auteuil
Daniel Auteuil is a French film, television and theatre actor.-Early life and education:He was born in Algiers, French Algeria.-Career:...
, Philippe Noiret
Philippe Noiret
Philippe Noiret was a French film actor.-Biography:Noiret's father was in the clothes trade. Philippe was an indifferent scholar and attended several prestigious Paris schools, including the Lycée Janson de Sailly. He failed several times to pass his baccalauréat exams, so he decided to study...
, Yves Montand
Yves Montand
-Early life:Montand was born Ivo Livi in Monsummano Terme, Italy, the son of poor peasants Giuseppina and Giovanni Livi, a broommaker. Montand's mother was a devout Catholic, while his father held strong Communist beliefs. Because of the Fascist regime in Italy, Montand's family left for France in...
and Jean Rochefort
Jean Rochefort
Jean Rochefort is a French actor, with a career that has spanned over five decades.Rochefort was born in Paris, France. He was educated at the Lycée Pierre Corneille in Rouen He was 19 years old when he entered the Centre d'Art Dramatique de la rue Blanche. Later he joined the Conservatoire National...
. Many of his films' lead actors and actresses are in multiple films of his. These people include Geneviève Bujold
Geneviève Bujold
Geneviève Bujold is a Canadian actress best known for her portrayal of Anne Boleyn in the 1969 film Anne of the Thousand Days, for which she won a Golden Globe Award for best actress and was nominated for an Academy Award....
, Jean-Pierre Cassel
Jean-Pierre Cassel
Jean-Pierre Cassel was a French actor.-Life and career:Cassel was born Jean-Pierre Crochon in Paris, the son of Louise-Marguerite , an opera singer, and Georges Crochon, a doctor. Cassel was discovered by Gene Kelly as he tap danced on stage, and later cast in the 1957 film The Happy Road...
, Nicole Garcia
Nicole Garcia
Nicole Garcia is a French actress, film director and writer. Her film Selon Charlie was entered into the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.-Actress:*1968: Des garçons et des filles directed by Étienne Périer...
, Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve is a French actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of aloof and mysterious beauties in films such as Repulsion and Belle de jour . Deneuve was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in Indochine; she also won César Awards for that...
, Marthe Keller
Marthe Keller
Marthe Keller is a Swiss actress and opera director. She studied ballet as a child, but stopped after a skiing accident at age 16...
, Jean-Paul Belmondo
Jean-Paul Belmondo
Jean-Paul Belmondo is a French actor initially associated with the New Wave of the 1960s.-Career:Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, west of Paris, Belmondo did not perform well in school, but developed a passion for boxing and football."Did you box professionally very long?" "Not very long...
, Annie Girardot
Annie Girardot
Annie Girardot was a French actress.She began performing in 1955, making her film debut in Treize à table. Girardot won the Prix Suzanne Bianchetti in 1956, and in 1977 won the César Award for Best Actress portraying the title character in Docteur Françoise Gailland...
, and Philippe Noiret
Philippe Noiret
Philippe Noiret was a French film actor.-Biography:Noiret's father was in the clothes trade. Philippe was an indifferent scholar and attended several prestigious Paris schools, including the Lycée Janson de Sailly. He failed several times to pass his baccalauréat exams, so he decided to study...
.
De Broca had a son with Marthe Keller in 1971. He was married to another of his actresses Margot Kidder
Margot Kidder
Margaret Ruth "Margot" Kidder is a Canadian-born American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve, a role that brought her to widespread recognition....
(1983–1984), and later to actress Valérie Rojan, with whom he had two children.
De Broca died in Neuilly-sur-Seine
Neuilly-sur-Seine
Neuilly-sur-Seine is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.Although Neuilly is technically a suburb of Paris, it is immediately adjacent to the city and directly extends it. The area is composed of mostly wealthy, select residential...
, France, as a result of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. He was awarded the Legion of Honor for his contributions to French culture.
Filmography
- Les Jeux de l'amourLes Jeux de l'amourLes Jeux de l'amour is a 1960 French comedy film directed by Philippe de Broca. It was entered into the 10th Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize.-Cast:* Jean-Pierre Cassel - Victor...
(1959) - Le farceur (1960)
- Les Sept Péchés capitaux (1961), sketches
- L'Amant de cinq joursL'Amant de cinq joursL'Amant de cinq jours is a 1961 French comedy film directed by Philippe de Broca. It was entered into the 11th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Jean Seberg - Claire* Micheline Presle - Madeleine* Jean-Pierre Cassel - Antoine...
(1961) - Les VeinardsLes VeinardsLes Veinards , is a French comedy film from 1963, directed by Philippe de Broca and Jean Girault, written by Jacques Vilfrid and Jean Girault, starring France Anglade and Louis de Funès...
(1962), sketches - CartoucheCartouche (film)Cartouche is a 1962 French film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Claudia Cardinale.- Plot :In the 18th century, Louis Dominique Bourguignon is working with Malichot's gang, but their ways are too 'unethical' for him. He hides out from Malichot and joins the army,...
(1962) - Un Monsieur de compagnieUn monsieur de compagnieMale Companion is a 1964 French film directed by Philippe de Broca and written by André Couteaux. The main character Antione was played by Jean-Pierre Cassel.-Plot:Antoine was raised into the easy life by his very rich grandfather...
(1964) - L'Homme de RioL'Homme de RioThat Man From Rio is a 1964 adventure film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Françoise Dorléac, the sister of Catherine Deneuve. Concidentally, Belmondo would later star with Deneuve in the 1969 film Mississippi Mermaid, also a United Artists film...
(1964) - Chinese Adventures in ChinaChinese Adventures in ChinaChinese Adventures in China is a 1965 French adventure comedy film starred by Jean Paul Belmondo and Ursula Andress. It was directed by Philippe de Broca and written by Daniel Boulanger, loosely based on the 1879 novel Tribulations of a Chinaman in China by Jules Verne....
(1965) - King of HeartsKing of Hearts (1966 film)King of Hearts is a 1966 French comedy-drama film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Alan Bates....
(1966) - Le Plus vieux métier du monde (1967),sketches
- Le Diable par la queue (1968)
- Les Caprices de Marie (1969)
- La Poudre d'escampette (1971)
- Dear LouiseDear LouiseDear Louise is a 1972 French drama film directed by Philippe de Broca. It was entered into the 1972 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Jeanne Moreau - Louise* Julian Negulesco - Luigi* Didi Perego - Frédérique* Yves Robert - Magnetto, le marchand de cycles...
(1972) - Le MagnifiqueLe MagnifiqueLe Magnifique is a French movie released in 1973, starring Jacqueline Bisset and Jean-Paul Belmondo.Le Magnifique is a slapstick spoof of B-series espionage movies and novels.-Synopsis:...
(1973) - L'Incorrigible (1975)
- Julie pot de colle (1977)
- Tendre Poulet (1977)
- Le Cavaleur (1978)
- On a volé la cuisse de JupiterOn a volé la cuisse de JupiterOn a volé la cuisse de Jupiter is a French movie released in 1980, starring Annie Girardot, Philippe Noiret and Francis Perrin, and directed by Philippe de Broca....
(1980) - PsyPsyPsy may mean:*Something to do with psychology*A commonly used term for psychedelic trance , a sub-genre of modern electronic dance music*Something to do with psionics...
(1980) - L'Africain (1983)
- LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
(AKA Louisiane) (1984) (TV movie) - La Gitane (1986)
- Chouans ! (1987)
- Les 1001 nuits (1990)
- Les Clés du paradis (1991)
- Le Jardin des plantes (1994)
- Le BossuLe Bossu (1997 film)Le Bossu is a French swashbuckler film directed by Philippe de Broca, released in 1997...
(1997) - Amazone (2000)
- Beau Masque (2003)
- Vipère au poingViper in the FistViper in the Fist is a novel by Hervé Bazin.It is the first and best known of a trilogy, the rest being La Mort du Petit Cheval and Le Cri de la Chouette. These three novels are largely autobiographical....
(2004)
Additional resources
- Wakeman, John, ed. World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945–1985. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1988, pp 158–162.