French Director Chabrol Dies

Legendary French director CLAUDE CHABROL has died at the age of 80.

The filmmaker passed away on Sunday (12Sep10).

Chabrol made his mark as one of the founders of French cinema’s New Wave movement and went on to enjoy more than half a century behind the camera, making more than 70 films and TV productions.

He first gained attention with his directorial debut Le Beau Serge in 1958. His film credits include Les Biches, The Butcher and the 2000 mystery Merci pour le chocolat, which featured one of his many muses, actress Isabelle Huppert.

France’s Prime Minister Francois Fillon has paid tribute to Chabrol, calling him a “great director, producer and screenwriter (who) was one of the grand figures of the Nouvelle vague (New Wave), which revolutionised the style and techniques of cinema by looking at real experience, true life, that which is indiscreet and subtle.”