Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a picturesque suburb of Paris, France, Georges Gachot is a dual national filmmaker who has made a significant impact in the world of documentary filmmaking, particularly in the realm of music. With his unique blend of French and Swiss heritage, Gachot has developed a distinct style that sets him apart from his peers.
Gachot's journey in filmmaking began in the early 1990s, when he worked in film production for commercials and as an actor and sound assistant. One of his most notable projects during this period was his work on the Oscar-winning film "Journey of Hope" by Xavier Koller in 1990.
In the mid-1990s, Gachot was commissioned by the renowned music label Naxos and various European TV channels to direct films that showcased musicians, composers, and interpreters. This marked the beginning of his transition from working behind the scenes to taking the reins as a director.
In 1996, Gachot started producing and directing his own films, often in co-production with international partners such as Idéale Audience, ARTE, and Swiss television. His films have enjoyed widespread success, with many being distributed by prominent companies like Doc & Films and Euroarts.
Gachot's passion for music has led him to create a number of critically acclaimed documentaries. In 2002, he received the prestigious "Prix Italia" for his portrait of the Argentinean pianist Martha Argerich, "Evening Talks". This was followed by the first installment of his trilogy on Brazilian music, "Maria Bethânia - Music is Perfume", in 2005.
Gachot's fascination with Brazilian music led him to create three more feature-length documentaries on the subject: "Rio Sonata" (2010),"O Samba" (2014),and "Where are you, João Gilberto" (2018). The latter, a road movie, was supported by Eurimages and received a theatrical release in many countries around the world.
In addition to his work on Brazilian music, Gachot has also directed five feature-length documentaries about Cambodia between 1996 and 2012.
Currently, Gachot is working on a new project, "Misty - Erroll Garner", which aims to introduce the music and life story of the great American pianist Erroll Garner to a wider audience.
