Life and achievements
Early life
André Bazin was born in Angers, France, in 1918 and showed an early interest in the arts and storytelling. He developed a passion for film in high school, where he watched movies at local cinema houses and participated in discussions about film and literature. Bazin initially wanted to be a teacher but could not pursue his academic dreams due to a speech impediment. This led him to Paris, where he associated with groups of people who would later define his career in film criticism.
During World War II, Bazin joined the Maison des Lettres student organization and started a ciné-club, where he began developing his ideas about Cinema. These experiences shaped his views on film and introduced him to people who would later collaborate with him at Cahiers du Cinéma. Bazin believed that Cinema was not just entertainment but also a means of understanding the world, people, and existence. His Catholic faith influenced his philosophical approach to realism in Cinema, emphasizing ethical and personalist principles in his theories.
Legacy
The main aspects of André Bazin's contribution to film criticism and theory are his support for realism and his role in developing the auteur theory. His insistence that the director should control the film and that Cinema should depict the natural world without manipulating the audience helped elevate film to an art form. Bazin's influence extended to filmmakers, especially French New Wave directors who embraced his theories and sought to free Cinema from the rigid structures of classical narrative and technique.
In addition to influencing filmmakers, Bazin's ideas became a cornerstone of academic film studies, where his works are still part of the primary film theory curriculum. His focus on the temporal and spatial dimensions of Cinema remains relevant in contemporary discussions on film realism, especially as new technologies raise questions about the reality portrayed in Cinema. Bazin's support of directors like Orson Welles, Jean Renoir, and William Wyler solidified the connection between his advocacy for unmanipulated reality in film and the works of these filmmakers.
Bazin's work also promoted a more philosophical and inclusive form of film criticism. Although he died young, his students and followers, such as François Truffaut, continued his ideology, ensuring his legacy extended beyond his lifetime.
Milestone moments
Oct 17, 1943
Began Writing Film Criticism
André Bazin started writing about Cinema in 1943.
Within a few years, he became one of the most influential critics of French Cinema.
In his early works, he was fascinated with Cinema's ability to depict reality, distinguishing him from most of his peers who focused on the technical aspects of filmmaking.
Bazin's writing challenged the mainstream film theory of the time, which emphasized montage.
Apr 18, 1918
Co-Founded Cahiers du Cinéma
Bazin co-founded Cahiers du Cinéma in 1951, a film journal that became one of the most significant platforms for film criticism and theory.
The magazine allowed Bazin to present his ideas on Cinema and helped form a group of young critics who would later become French New Wave filmmakers.
Cahiers du Cinéma changed the course of film criticism by focusing on the director's point of view and supporting the auteur theory.
Jun 20, 1954
Released the First Volume of What is Cinema?
In 1954, Bazin began publishing What is Cinema?, a collection of essays that established him as one of the most influential theorists in film studies.
The essays focused on issues of realism and the moral responsibilities of Cinema.
What is Cinema? has since been considered one of the most important works in film studies, read by filmmakers, critics, and scholars alike.
Nov 11, 1958
Death and Legacy
André Bazin died of leukemia on November 11, 1958, at the age of 40.
He passed away just as the French New Wave, which he inspired, was beginning to emerge.
François Truffaut dedicated his first film, The 400 Blows, in homage to Bazin, highlighting Bazin's influence on the movement.
Bazin's concepts of realism and the auteur theory continue to influence film studies and are applied in modern filmmaking.