René Féret (26 May 1945 – 28 April 2015) was a French actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer. He made several films around an invented family living in northern France, the Gravets, but based on his own life experience. His 1975 drama film, The Story of Paul (Histoire de Paul) won the Prix Jean Vigo, and he became known outside France for his historical dramas such as Mozart's Sister (2010) and Anton Tchékhov 1890 (2015).
Early life and education René Féret was born in La Bassée, France in 1945. He was born into a modest family in northern France who ran a small business. He was affected from an early age by the shadow of a brother whose death at the age of four had preceded his birth, called René.
His father died when Féret was 22, and Féret then attempted suicide, which led to his being sent to a psychiatric hospital. He drew on this experience for his film, Histoire de Paul in 1975.
Career Féret's film Solemn Communion was entered into the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.
In The Man Who Wasn't There (L'Homme qui n'était pas là), his 1987 film adaption of Roderick MacLeish's novel, he played alongside Claude Jade in the leading role of Charles Elaine.
Very much an independent creator, Féret made several films around an invented family living in northern France, the Gravets, but based on his own life experience. He often used members of his own family in his films.Disparition de René Féret (Death of René Féret) Unifrance website, 28 April 2015 accessed 18 December 2022. Féret also turned to marginalised individuals in trouble: a man sent to a psychiatric hospital in Histoire de Paul (1975), a hermaphrodite in Mystère Alexina, the elderly in Rue du Retrait (2000) and cancer sufferers in Comme une étoile dans la nuit (2009).
Later in his career, he turned his attention to historical artistic figures with the films Nannerl, la sœur de Mozart (Mozart's Sister, 2010) and Anton Tchékhov 1890 (2015). His work was described as "subtle and possessing great sensibility".
Death Féret died in Paris on 28 April 2015, aged 69.
Filmography Year Title Credited as NotesDirectorScreenwriterProducerActor Role 1971 La Fuite Krapiline (credited as René-Marie Féret) Telefilm 1973 George Who? Manceau (credited as René-Marie Féret) directed by Michèle Rosier 1973 Jeanne d'Arc Le duc d'Alençon Telefilm 1975 Cinéma 16 Marc TV series 1975 The Story of Paul Prix Jean Vigo 1976 Lumière Julien directed by Jeanne Moreau 1976 Moi, Pierre Rivière, ayant égorgé ma mère, ma sœur et mon frère... Docteur Morin As delegate producer 1977 Solemn Communion Julien I Gravet at 30Nominated—Palme d'Or (1977 Cannes Film Festival) 1979 Plurielles 1980 Fernand 1980 L'Enfant roi François / Ravi 1981 The Prodigal Daughter Le mari 1981 Last Summer 1983 Side Roads 1983 Orage Short film 1983 Idylle Short film 1983 Sarah Duparc 1985 The Mystery of Alexina As executive producerNominated—Prix Un Certain Regard (1985 Cannes Film Festival) 1986 Tous en boîte TV mini-series 1987 The Man Who Wasn't There Charles 1987 La Tricheuse Benini Telefilm 1988 Savannah Fabien 1989 Baptême Bayard d'Or for Best Film (Golden Bayard) 1991 Un homme et deux femmes 1992 Promenades d'été 1993 The Place of Another Shown as part of Cinéma en France, Cannes 1993 1994 3000 scénarios contre un virus TV series 1994 Couchettes express Le médecin Telefilm directed by Luc Béraud 1996 Les Frères Gravet 1996 Un siècle d'écrivains TV series documentary (episode: John Fante) 1997 Dakan directed by Mohamed Camara 1999 East/West Ambassadeur de France directed by Régis Wargnier 1999 Mélissol Prof. Davézieux TV series2000 Les Enfants du Printemps Xavier de Montherlant TV mini-series2001 Rue du retrait Paul 2003 Local Kid Pierre Merveille 2004 Toute une vie Short film2006 Il a suffi que maman s'en aille… 2008 Like a Star Shining in the NightLe chef de Marc et Eric (uncredited) 2010 Mozart's SisterLe professeur de musique Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Original Screenplay2012 Madame Solario2013 The Film to ComeLe directeur du cinéma 2015 Anton Tchékhov 18902015 Le Chant du merle
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