Jean Rouch filmed and directed this delightful one-take, one-reel film on renowned photographer Raymond Depardon.
Rouch was one of the founders of cinéma-vérité, whose work influenced D. A. Pennebaker and Albert and David Maysles. Rouch also developed the “jump-cut” in Moi, un noir (years before Jean-Luc Godard took credit for it), and was a pioneer of Nouvelle Vague. For his movies, he is also known as the “Father of Nigerian Cinema.”
Depardon is a self-taught photographer, who began his career as a photo-journalist covering the wars in Algeria, Vietnam, Biafra and Chad. He is a member of Magnum, and is internationally recognized as a photographer and film-maker.
A Portrait of Raymond Depardon captures an engaging moment between two greats of film: director Rouch and photographer Depardon discussing and contrasting their individual approaches to their crafts.
It’s a great wee film and rewarding for the insight it gives. It was shot in Paris on April 19th, 1983, at 7pm.
H/T Vasco Pimentel