Writer and director Didier Kaminka, a French actor, died at 81

Didier Kaminka, screenwriter, director and actor of French films of the 1970s and 1980s, died last Tuesday at the age of 81. Known for his work in films such as Gifted people, Banzai et Sofa upgradehe left behind a work marked by cinematographers such as Coluche, Pierre Richard and Daniel Auteuil.

Born April 22, 1943 in Paris, Didier Kaminka made his debut as an actor in the 1960s before making a name for himself as a screenwriter. His career took an important turn when he was recording I don’t know anything but I will tell everything (1973) with Pierre Richard, which paved the way for a successful film series. He became an honorary partner of the director Claude Zidi, signing up to an exciting and funny dialogue. Gifted people (1980) already Kings of Gag (1985).

Behind the camera, he directs Sofa upgrade (1990), a social drama showing the collapse of the world of work, which was a great success. His last role on screen was that Duval the sleeper (2017) by Manuel Sanchez, where he plays an artist who pretends to be terrible, making him different from the comedy of his beginnings.

Didier Kaminka also left his mark on the cinema scene as a dialogue writer, contributing to the American movement. Collection! of James Cameron, who will be little Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger. “I salute the memory of a cinematographer of many talents, who contributed to the beauty of French cinema,” Culture Minister Rachida Dati said in a press release.

A tribute ceremony will be held for Didier Kaminka in Paris on Friday October 4.

Alice Leroy