Person
Gance, Abel (1889-1981)
Paris 1899-10-25 - Paris 1981-11-10
French scriptwriter and film director. After working in theater, in 1909 he began his career in the film industry, acting in the film "Molière". In 1911 he founded a production company and debuted that same year as director with "La digue". Due to the little success of his first films, he decided to return to the theater, creating the work "Victoire de Samothrace". However, the première was canceled due to the start of the First World War. Gance participated in it for a short priod of time because of his health problems. During this stage he worked at Film d'Arte company, shooting out films such as "Mater Dolorosa" (1917) and "La Dixieme Symphonie" (1918). Later he decided to enlist in the army in order to shoot combat scenes for his next project, "J'accuse!" (1919). This film, which aimed to convey the futility of war, was a tremendous success throughout Europe. While filming "La Roue" (1922) he decided to travel to the United States, due to the death of his second wife, Ida Danis. There he promoted "J'accuse!". After this he returned to France, where he finished "La Roue". In 1927 he directed his best known film, "Napoleon", which was well received in Europe. He directed his last film in 1972, "Bonaparte et la révolution".
Date of the event: 1914 - 1918