Death of Yves Boisset, Engaged Director of the 70s

Filmmaker Yves Boisset, known for his impactful political films, passed away at the age of 86 on March 31 at the Franco-Britannic Hospital in Levallois-Perret, Hauts-de-Seine. This committed director marked the history of French cinema with works addressing sensitive topics, from racism and the Algerian War to historical political events.

Powerful and Committed Films

Born on March 14, 1939, in Paris, Yves Boisset began his cinematic career after serving in Algeria and working as a journalist for the magazine Cinéma. His first film, Coplan Sauve Sa Peau (1968), is a B-grade spy movie, but it was with Un Condé (1970), a dark portrayal of the police, that he began a career filled with politically engaged films.

His most famous film, Dupont Lajoie (1975), reflects on racist murders in Marseille, while L’Attentat (1972), a thriller about the assassination of Mehdi Ben Barka, fiercely criticizes the Gaullist regime. Yves Boisset wasn’t afraid to tackle the most delicate topics, like the Algerian War in R.A.S (1973), which tells the story of insubordination and faced censorship.

The 80s and 90s: A Shift to Television

Tired of the obstacles in cinema, Yves Boisset turned to television in the 1990s. There, he continued to direct socially committed TV films, addressing pressing social issues such as in L’Affaire Seznec (1993) and L’Affaire Dreyfus (1995). His television work also included Le Pantalon (1997), which deals with the firing squads of World War I, and L’Affaire Salengro (2009).

A passionate athlete and father of three, Yves Boisset left a lasting legacy in French cinema. His memoirs, La Vie est un Choix (2011), reveal his personal commitment and numerous struggles, both in the cinematic world and in defending his social and political ideals.