A renowned filmmaker, he initially pursued a career in photography,
before transitioning to directing short subjects in the late 1940s,
ultimately gaining an international reputation for the poetic quality
of his short and medium-length films that transported audiences to
the enchanting realm of childhood fantasy. Notably, his White Mane
(1953) and The Red Balloon (1956) both received the prestigious
Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, with the latter also
claiming an American Academy Award. Following his early 1960s
foray into feature-length films, which met with relatively less
success, he retreated to the realm of documentary shorts.
Tragically, his life was cut short in a helicopter crash while
filming a documentary near Teheran. Despite this, his
uncompleted project, The Lovers' Wind (1978),was later
edited from his notes and garnered a nomination for the
Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary during the 1979
ceremonies.
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Biography:
Albert Lamorisse was a French filmmaker, best known for his work in
short films. Born on September 11, 1922, in Paris, France,
he initially pursued a career in photography before turning to
directing short subjects. His poetic and visually stunning films
often explored the world of childhood fantasy, earning him
international recognition. His notable works include White Mane
(1953) and The Red Balloon (1956),both of which received the
Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
