Farewell, Claude Miller

by Fabien Lemercier

05/04/2012 - A well-known figure in both French and international cinema, Claude Miller died on Wednesday, April 4, in Paris. The film director (and producer via Les films du 24) was selected twice for the competition in Cannes, in 1998 with Class Trip (Jury Prize) and in 2003 with Little Lili. He also competed in Berlin in 2000 with Of Women and Magic.

Nominated four times for the César for Best Film (in 1977 for The Best Way to Walk, in 1982 for The Grilling, in 1986 for The Hussy, and in 2008 for A Secret), Claude Miller was also short-listed seven times for the César for Best Director (for the four same films and for This Sweet Sickness in 1978, The Little Thief in 1989, and Little Lili in 2004), and won the César for Best Screenplay for The Grilling.

Among his other films are his first feature The Best Way to Walk (1976), Deadly Circuit (1983), The Accompanist (1992), Alias Betty (2001), I’m Glad My Mother Is Alive [trailer] (2009 – co-directed with his son Nathan) and Thérèse Desqueyroux with Audrey Tautou set to be released in France by UGC on November 21, 2012.

Claude Miller was committed to defending European cinema, and was president of the Europa Cinémas. He was also president of the ARP from 1997 to 1999.

(Translated from French)