Antonin Artaud was a French actor and writer who is best known for his roles in The Passion of Joan of Arc, Lucrezia Borgia, and Napoleon. Born on September 4, 1896, in Marseille, he made significant contributions to film and theatre until his death on March 4, 1948.
Personal and Family Life
Antonin Artaud was born into a family with deep roots in French culture. His experiences and struggles with mental health deeply influenced his work, as he spent nine years in a psychiatric hospital. Despite his challenges, he created art through drawing and painting, which he used as a therapeutic outlet during his time as a patient.
Career
Artaud was a prominent figure in the surrealist movement and is known for his innovative approaches to theatre and film. He worked as a screenwriter for several films, including The Seashell and the Clergyman, which showcased his strong opinions about the film industry. His controversial remarks about directors and the film-making process often drew attention and highlighted his passionate character.
Death and Legacy
On March 4, 1948, Antonin Artaud passed away from colorectal cancer in Ivry-sur-Seine, France. His family honored his wishes by arranging a burial, despite his request to avoid a church ceremony. Today, he is remembered as a pioneering artist whose work continues to inspire and challenge conventional ideas in theatre and film.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc | 1928-04-21 | Jean Massieu |
| Les Croix de bois | 1932-03-17 | Soldat Vieublé |
| Napoléon | 1927-04-07 | Jean-Paul Marat |
| L’Opéra de quat’sous | 1931-06-08 | Un mendiant |
| Mater dolorosa | 1917-03-06 | |
| Mathusalem | 1927-11-06 | |
| Tarakanova | 1930-03-18 | le jeune tzigane |
| Fait-divers | 1923-12-01 | M. Deux |
| Koenigsmark | 1935-12-04 | Cyrus Back |
| Surcouf | 1925-02-13 | Jacques Morel, un traitre |
| L’Argent | 1928-12-25 | Mazaud |
| Le Juif Errant | 1926-12-24 | Jacques Dupuis, dit Gringalet |
| La Femme d’une nuit | 1930-06-16 | Jaroslav |
| Liliom | 1934-05-15 | Le rémouleur (The Knife Grinder) |
| Émile en ce miroir | 2009-01-01 | |
| Seans : hommage á Antonin Artaud | 1977-02-07 | (archive footage) |
| Napoléon Bonaparte | 1935-11-05 | Marat |
| Verdun, visions d’histoire | 1928-11-08 | The intellectual |
| Mater Dolorosa | 1933-01-06 | |
| Faubourg Montmartre | 1931-10-02 | Follestat (as Artaud) |
| Verdun, souvenirs d’histoire | 1931-11-06 | |
| L’enfant de ma soeur | 1933-01-13 | |
| Sidonie Panache | 1934-10-19 | |
| Lucrèce Borgia | 1935-12-20 | Girolamo Savonarola |
| Graziella | 1926-07-23 | Cecco |
| Le désordre a vingt ans | 1967-06-06 | Self (archive footage) |
| Bonaparte et la révolution | 1972-11-24 |