Scruples, 1980.
I'm not sure how I missed the death of Marie-France Pisier on April 24th, 2011, especially considering that I have long thought of her as my favourite, and the most beautiful, French actress. Though others swear allegiance to Deneuve, Karina and Bardot (all of which I adore as well), Pisier's captivating beauty and wit has enthralled me from the first. Discovered by François Truffaut, she first appeared in Antoine et Collette, a 30 minute companion short to Love at Twenty. Going on to appear in two other films in the Antoine Doinel series, Baisers Volés (1968) and L'Amour en Fuite (1979, which she also co-wrote), Pisier also worked with a number of other famous directors, including Luis Buñuel (Le Fantôme de la Liberté, 1975) and André Téchiné (Barocco (1976), and Les Soeurs Brontë (1979)). Probably most memorably to international audiences, she played the neurotic wife with the best wardrobe in Cousin, Cousine (1976). While I've seen many of her earlier films, she continued acting until her accidental drowning death in her pool in the South of France. While known as an actress, she was also a novelist and director, making two films- Le Bal du Gouverneur (1990), which was adapted from Pisier's own novel about some of her childhood spent in New Caledonia in the Pacific, and Comme un Avion (2002). I have to admit that even with all of the amazing Nouvelle Vague films she appeared, her favourite role of mine was in the trashy mini-series, Scruples (1980), based on Judith Krantz's novel, but that is owed its own separate post.
President Sarkozy's statement at her death seems to exactly capture Pisier's unique appeal that was based on “her supreme elegance born of the most perfect simplicity.”
Below are some memorable photos of her as well as a translation of her Proust questionnaire.
Souvenirs d'en France, 1975.
L'Amour en Fuite, 1979.
Antoine et Collette, 1962.
Barocco, 1976.
Boulevard des Assassins, 1982.
Chanel Solitaire, 1981.
Cousin, Cousine, 1975.
Cousin, Cousine, 1975.
Cousin, Cousine, 1975.
Cousin, Cousine, 1975.
Les Sœurs Brontë, 1979.
Les Sœurs Brontë, 1979.
Les Sœurs Brontë, 1979.
Le vampire de Düsseldorf, 1965.
Le vampire de Düsseldorf, 1965.
Le vampire de Düsseldorf, 1965.
Le Corps de mon Ennemi, 1976.
Marie-France's Proust Questionnaire:
Perfect happiness for you?
Wandering around Paris in the spring without end, into the wind ...
Where and at what point in your life were you happiest?
On a beach in New Caledonia, when I was 13. Spun sand between my fingers, I thought, "I want my life in my hands."
What is the main feature of your character?
The exaltation.
And the line of your character which you are least proud of?
My quick and violent attacks of paranoia.
Your last laugh?
Following a discussion of Thierry Funck-Brentano, the man I love, whom I asked, "So it's really better to be a man"? "Oh yes ... but there are compensations!" me he replied.
And the last time you cried?
It was in a pool in Miami three years ago. I thought I was going to overflow the pool of tears ...
Your heroes in life today?
Two doctors: Professor Baulieu, who invented the pill RU 486. And Prof. Frydman, one of the "fathers" of Amanda, who carried out the first medically assisted procreation.
Your favorite heroine of fiction?
This great hysterical Scarlett O'Hara.
Your cult film?
The Magnificent Ambersons, Orson Welles.
Your favorite authors?
Henry James, Edith Wharton, Fitzgerald, Faulkner.
Your favorite occupation?
Read in my bathtub.
And your favorite book?
Dictionary of literary characters in the collection books.
The color you prefer?
The red theater curtains.
The flower you love?
The iris, the word and because it is the name of my daughter.
Your favorite drink?
The Gevrey-Chambertin.
The talent that you would have wanted?
Know how to sing.
The song that you hum?
As an airplane without wings, CharlElie Couture. You hear it in my next film. That same title.
What do you hold most dear?
My view ... that decline.
What do you hate most of all?
Do not see the time passing.
Faults that inspire you most indulgent?
At least not spelling errors.
If you were to change one thing about your physical appearance?
I would be a tall blonde ... or a tall blond!
How did you manage better in your life?
To love and be loved.
What would be your greatest misfortune?
That the people I love die before me.
Your greatest regret?
Failing to get rid of the guilt.
Your motto?
That rises every morning is the first of every morning I have left.
And how would you die?
Dreaming.
