Patrick Grandperret

Although not well-known by audiences, filmmaker Patrick Grandperret, who passed away at Saint-Maur-des-Fossé on Saturday, 9 March at the age of 72, seduced generation of cinephiles with his films, which were full of freedom, poetry and tenderness, but also of surprising audaciousness. Borne by the fluidity of his camera style and the energy of his actors, his work, which, although it was not prolific was recognized by his peers, cut across the trends and changes in cinema and television for nearly four decades.

I met Patrick fifty-six years ago and he is one of the few people that I have never had the slightest disagreement with over such a long period of time. A friendship, an exceptional fraternity through our shared passions: motorcycles and cinema.

Patrick, Pierre and Jérôme reunited. Patrick and Pierre left together last weekend, Jérôme has already been gone for ten years. Patrick Grandperret, Pierre Chevalier and Jérôme Minet, the three producers of Beau travail, by Claire Denis, are no longer with us.

Patrick took his leave of us last Saturday, surrounded by his family and his many friends. At the discreet cemetery of Saint-Maur, the music of Bashung and Brassens accompanied the eulogies of those who loved him.