Directing Actors by Jean Renoir
Theater (collection)
•
21m
Directed by Gisèle Braunberger • Documentary • 1968 • 22 minutes
Actor Gisèle Braunberger sits across a small table from Jean Renoir. She leans forward, focusing intently on the director, her hands rhythmically fidgeting, as he outlines the premise of the script page he is about to work through with her—a scene from the Rumer Godden novel Breakfast with the Nikolides.
Renoir breaks the text down to its basics, a process which slowly and organically allows character to emerge. He begins with Braunberger reading the script with no affect at all—like a child reading a phone book. Each time she shows emotion, even for a syllable, he stops her. But despite his rigidity, he remains compassionate and supportive.
In this short film, which is directed by Braunberger, we see the process in action from first read all the way through to a powerful studio take. It is a fascinating insight into Renoir’s approach, and a mini master-class in developing authentic character.
Up Next in Theater (collection)
-
Demons
Directed by Daniel Hui • Drama • With Vicki Yang, Glen Goei, Vikneshwaran Kobinathan • 2018 • 84 minutes
Aspiring actress Vicki thinks she has gotten the role of her life in Daniel’s new play. But her debut lead role only casts her into endless torture at the esteemed director’s hands. When she ...
-
Kyiv Theater: An Island of Hope
Directed by Duccio Bellugi-Vannuccini, Thomas Briat • Documentary • With Ariane Mnouchkine • 2024 • 59 minutes
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brings back dark memories of 1930s Europe for Ariane Mnouchkine, the 84-year-old theater director and founder of the prestigious Théâtre du...
-
A Bread Factory - Part 1
Directed by Patrick Wang • Drama • With Tyne Daly, Elisabeth Henry • 2018 • 122 minutes
Part 1: The acclaimed new work from filmmaker Patrick Wang (In the Family), featuring a remarkable performance from actress Tyne Daly, is the story of The Bread Factory, a community arts center in the small t...
