Three months after the death of Michel Blanc, another master of comedy leaves us. Bertrand Blier, director of the great classics “The Valseuses” (1974), “Buffet froid” (1979), “Evening wear” (1986) or even “Prepare your tissues” (1979) is dead.
It was his entourage who announced it on January 21, 2025 to AFP. He was 85 years old, and he was undoubtedly one of the greatest dialogue writers of his time (influenced by Michel Audiard).
Gérard Depardieu was his favorite actor
After two documentaries, Bertrand Blier stands out in the cinema with The Valseuses. It is a provocative diversion, satirical and crude humor, prohibited for those under 18 years of age. The film reveals three actors to the general public, Patrick Dewaere, Miou-Miou, and of course Gérard Depardieu.
With him, he will tour eight times, and will participate in the rise of his acting career until the end of the 1980s. Their last film together was in 2005, in “How much do you love me?” with Monica Bellucci and Bernard Campan.
Moreover, in December 2023, he was a signatory of the platform “Don’t erase Gérard Depardieu” who defended the presumption of innocence of his favorite actor. The latter is being prosecuted for rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment. The case is still ongoing.
But Bertrand Blier also led several members of the Splendid band. There was of course Gérard Jugnot (in “Calm”in 1976), but also Thierry Lhermitte (“My friend’s wife”in 1983). He also filmed Michel Blanc (“Evening wear“in 1986,”Thank you life” in 1991), Josiane Balasko (“Too beautiful for you”in 1989, “The Actors“, in 2000) and finally Christian Clavier (for “Exceptional convoy”in 2019).
-A cinema legend
Its success in theaters was unequivocal. Popular, the critics had not yet shunned it. Indeed, Bertrand Blier won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film for “Prepare your tissues“. It was at the 51st Academy Awards.
Question César, Bertrand Blier was not left out. In fact, he had 5 on his mantelpiece. Three for scenarios (“Cold buffet”, “Our story”, “Too beautiful for you”) and 2 for best film and best direction (“Too beautiful for you”). On February 28, 2025, the in memoriam sequence of the 2025 Césars will absolutely not be able to ignore him.
