Letter of the day: Sutherland shot at Pitoëff

Geneva, June 23

An actor of international stature, Canadian actor Donald Sutherland passed away this Thursday, June 20, 2024 in Florida at the age of 88. His long figure (1.92 m) appeared on the “film” of more than 200 films shot over 60 years, an impressive career spanning all genres.

Donald Sutherland was first and foremost a presence, whether in the lead or in a “luxury” supporting role, he was one of those actors whose face everyone knew, but not always the name. The list of directors who made it is rich and long (Fellini, Stone, Bertolucci, Hudson, Malle, Crichton, Irvin, Altman, Pakula, Sturges, Redford, etc.). It was also the last of Robert Aldrich’s “The Bastard Twelve” (1961). Jim Brown, one of his last emblematic partners in this war film, also left the stage just a year ago at the age of 87.

Very little TV for Donald Sutherland, but movies on the channel. Few people know it, but Donald Sutherland shot a film in Geneva in 1993, the title “Punch” by Johannes Flütsch and Alan Birkinshaw, this film recounting the tumultuous and rocky journey of the great Swiss boxer (Oberlander of origin) Walter Blaser died by suicide in 1988 at the age of 41 in Geneva. The role of Walter was played by Ernst Siegrist. Donald Sutherland admirably played the role of the manager cut out in a navy blue suit. For the filming, a ring was set up at the Pitoëff theater in Plainpalais.

I was one of the many extras representing the spectators of the fight (see photo). Part of the film was also shot in the Bernese Oberland. Donald Sutherland declared to “La Suisse” in 1993: “I prefer a small role in a big film to a main role in a film that I don’t esteem” , beautiful modesty for an actor who had Marlon Brando as his idol. Goodbye, Donald!

For your information, the newspaper “La Suisse” devoted an entire page to the filming of “Punch” (February 21, 1993, page 11) and the “Tribune de Genève” an article for the release of the film (September 1, 1995, page 49 ).

Karim-Pierre Bahechar

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