Gérard Depardieu

Gérard Depardieu is not only a heavyweight in regard to his figure, but undoubtedly belongs to the great names in the art of acting. The range of his abilities as an actor and his mutability are enormous – as is the diversity of the now 170 films in which he has played since the beginning of the 1970s. He's probably the worldwide most famous French actor, who has won numerous awards and strongly influenced French cinema by repeatedly setting standards in acting. In March, as belated greetings to Depardieu's 60th birthday at the end of last year, we are delighted to show a selection of 15 films from the broad spectrum of his creative work: from the experimental cinema of Duras, the anarchical-satirical comedies of Blier, pivotal works of auteur cinema by Truffaut, Pialat and Resnais, all the way to the popular historical dramas and Depardieu's impersonation of Obelix. Whether serious or light – Depardieu has always been flexible in the choice of his roles, and from the beginning of his career until today he cannot be pigeonholed. Depending on the requirements, he can rant and rave or act in a highly sensitive manner, be coarse or show finesse and reserve. In general, Depardieu is a very physical actor, weighty and displaying a dynamic, disquieting presence, while at the same time being sensuous and sensitive. "For European cinema, Depardieu is what Brando was for 1950s American cinema. He embodies the entire spectrum of the European male: the daredevil, the pimp, the intellectual, the bourgeois, the rebel, and the hedonist." (Kent Jones)