It was revealed that Jean-Luc Godard, a legendary film director, died in Switzerland by suicide assisted suicide.
After a lengthy battle with multiple invalidating diseases, the lawyer for Franco-Swiss film-maker Godard confirmed that he had decided to end his life at 91.
Godard, who was born in Rolle in Switzerland, died on Lake Geneva. His family released a statement saying that Godard would be cremated.
Euthanasia in Switzerland, though illegal, involves someone other than the patient actively participating in their death. Doctors can prescribe medications that, if taken or given intravenous, will allow the patient to take control of their life.
French daily Libération cited a person close to the family as saying that ‘it was [Godard’s]It was his decision, and it was crucial to him that the people knew about it.
Godard, one of the most respected directors in the world, was best known for his French New Wave films Breathless and Contempt. These films inspired many directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese.
His style of direction broke from convention, and helped to kickstart a new method for filmmaking with jump cuts, handheld cameras, and existential dialog.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke out about Godard’s death, saying that he had lost a national treasure and the vision of a genius.
After a lengthy battle with multiple invalidating conditions, the lawyer for Franco-Swiss legend Godard confirmed today that Godard had decided to end his life at 91. The filmmaker was pictured here in 2000
Godard, one of the most respected directors in the world, was best known for his French New Wave films Breathless et Contempt.
Godard, speaking at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, said that he doesn’t believe he would choose to stop living if he finds himself in dire circumstances.
He stated, “If my condition is too severe, then I won’t be able to handle a wheelbarrow. Not at all.”
He answered yes to the question, “Yes… for now.”
Godard, who began his career in 1950s film criticism, was probably the most innovative director of New Wave filmmakers. He rewrote rules for sound, camera and narration, rebelling against a more traditional tradition of formulaic storytelling.
Godard utilized a light, portable camera to record street scenes for his low-budget film ‘Breathless.’
According to one expert, he resisted the use of contrived backgrounds and Hollywood’s “artifice” of Hollywood cinema at that time. It had an immediate impact – “Breathless” was released in 1960 like a thunderclap and has remained popular ever since.
Quentin Tarantino was the director of Pulp Fiction in 1990s and Reservoir Dogs during the 1990s. He is frequently cited as being part of a new generation of boundary-bending traditions that Godard and his Paris Left Bank colleagues started.
Tarantino loved Godard so much that he named his production company A Band Apart after him.
Godard was born in Paris in 1930.
He returned to Paris after finishing school in 1949 where he soon became part of the post-war New Wave scene.
His career began in film writing before Breathless was released in 1960. It immediately attracted the attention of critics.
Godard continued to produce seminal films throughout the 1960s including Le Petit Soldat. This controversial film suggested that the French government had condoned torture which was prohibited until 1963.
Godard married two times to Anne Wiazemsky and Anna Karina Wiazemsky. Both were actresses who starred in many of his films.
It was during his four year marriage to Karina from 1961-1965, that Godard enjoyed some of his most memorable screen collaborations, including in Vivre sa vie (1962), Bande à part (1964) and Pierrot le Fou (1965).
Acclaimed filmmaker: Godard on the set of his 1963 movie Le Mépris with Brigitte Bardot
He was married to Wiazemsky from 1967 to 1979, with the actress starring in his movies La Chinoise (1967) and One Plus One (1968).
Godard met Swiss filmmaker Anne-Marie Miéville in 1970 with the two becoming collaborators before beginning a romantic relationship which continued until his death.
He also worked with the Rolling Stones on the film Sympathy for the Devil in 1968.
Godard enjoyed continued success throughout his later years. In Praise Of Love, his 2001 film was chosen for the Cannes Film Festival.
The film focused on an elderly Jewish couple whose life rights are potentially being bought by Steven Spielberg, which was reportedly meant as a manner of condemning Schindler’s List.
Duo: Godard was married to actress Anna Karina from 1961-1965, a period in which he enjoyed some of his most memorable screen collaborations
Successful partnership: From 1967 to 1979, he was married to Anne Wiazemsky. She starred in the films La Chinoise (1967), One Plus One (1968), as well as his movie One Plus One (1968).
Godard was a successful person who had good fortune in all aspects of his life. Pictured receiving an honorary César Award in 1998
He said once, “Spielberg believes black and white is less serious than color.”
“It is phony thinking.” It’s not phony to him, I believe he is honest with himself. However, he’s also not very smart so the result is phony. … ‘[He]Used [Oskar Schindler]This story, and all of the Jewish tragedy, as if they were a large orchestra. To make a stereophonic tone from a simple story.
He won the Cannes jury prize for 2014’s Goodbye to Language, while 2018’s Image Book was given a’special Palme d’Or’ award at the prestigious film festival.
The filmmaker was awarded an Academy Honorary Award in 2010 but did not attend the ceremony.