Luis Bunuel is a talented director and screenwriter whose name is forever imprinted in the history of cinema. This man, who lived 83 years, managed to make about forty films, many of which are still of interest to viewers. “Nazarin”, “Girl”, “Forgotten”, “Daytime Beauty”, “This vague object of desire” - it is difficult to choose the most prominent of his paintings. What is known about the man who called himself an adherent of surrealism?
Luis Bunuel: star biography
The future director was born in Calanda (Spain). It happened in February 1900. Luis Bunuel was born into a family of wealthy landowners, but he never had the desire to follow in the footsteps of his parents. Remembering his childhood, the master often spoke about the special atmosphere that reigned in his native village. Many traditions that were observed by the inhabitants of Kalanda have been preserved since the Middle Ages, religiosity coexisted with superstition and faith in miracles. All this left its mark on the work of the director.
The maestro turned 17 years old when he moved with his father to Madrid, became a student at the University of Madrid. During his studies, Luis Bunuel made many famous friends, among whom were writers, artists, philosophers. The young man became especially close with Federico Lorca and Salvador Dali.
First successes
Classes at the university did not help the master forget about his childhood dream - to connect his fate with the world of cinema. It is not surprising that in 1920 it was Luis Bunuel who became the founder of one of the first European cinema clubs, whose members he entered along with his famous friends.
In 1925, the director became a student of the Paris Academy of Cinema, then he managed to get the position of assistant to the then famous director Jean Epstein. The first time he declared himself as a screenwriter he happened in 1928, when he took part in creating the script for the painting “The Fall of the Asher House”, the plot of which was borrowed from the sensational novel by Edgar Allan Poe.
Directorial debut
“Andalusian Forest” is the first short film directed by Luis Bunuel, whose films still fascinate the audience today. The short film was created in 1929, dreams became the source of inspiration for the director - his own and close friend Salvador Dali. Dreams further prompted the maestro to vivid images that he embodied on the screen.
Not without reason, Bunuel feared that his first work would shock the audience. During its creation, bizarre surrealistic images were used, for example, a razor-streaked eye. In this 17-minute short, Louis also acted as an actor, starring in the prologue as a man armed with a razor. Later, the director with a laugh recalled how he appeared at the premiere with stones, with the help of which he intended to fight off an indignant audience. However, the audience accepted the picture with enthusiasm, so the fight did not take place.
Films and scandals
Director Louis Bunuel is a man whose films often gained a reputation for scandalous. This is exactly what happened with the painting "Golden Age", which saw the light in 1930. For almost 50 years, this tape remained banned from showing, as it ridiculed public morality and attacked religious beliefs.
The documentary drama "Land Without Bread", released in 1932, was allowed to be shown only five years after its creation. In this picture, the director spoke about the unbearable conditions in which peasants are forced to work. A similar fate was waiting for the tape “Sentinel, anxiety!”, “Who loves me?”.
Forced relocations
Like many other residents of Spain, the director suffered from the fascist regime. Attacks by the authorities forced Bunuel to move to the United States in 1932. It was with the move that a forced break in his career was connected, for about 15 years Louis absolutely did not take anything off. The master worked as an editor in Hollywood, moonlighting at the Museum of Modern Art, dreaming of someday returning to his favorite pastime.
The turning point in the life of a genius was the move to Mexico, which occurred in 1947. Two years later, he received Mexican citizenship and again began making surrealistic films. It was then that Louis Bunuel created his first famous painting. The filmography of the master acquired the drama "Forgotten", dedicated to youth crime. The focus of the audience was the difficult life of two teenagers, who came from poor Mexican families. This film was nominated for several prestigious awards, including the BAFTA.
Top movies
“Middle” - a film by Luis Bunuel, presented to the audience in 1961 and became one of the most outstanding works of the director. The painting was the fruit of a joint production of Mexico and Italy. The story tells of the secret passion of a man in love with his own niece. The girl intends to leave for the monastery, but passion prevents her uncle from agreeing with her decision. His feeling is so strong that he cannot but impress the niece.
Thanks to what paintings Louis Bunuel became a classic director? "Middle" is far from his only outstanding work. Noteworthy fans of the maestro and the drama "Nazarin", which saw the light two years earlier. The film tells the story of a priest who suddenly abandons his dignity and goes on a journey. The situation is complicated when a clergyman is forced to rescue a prostitute who is accused of killing a colleague.
In 1972, the director makes the film "The Modest Charm of the Bourgeoisie", which makes a strong impression on the audience. A surreal sketch is dedicated to the worthlessness of the life of modern representatives of the middle class. This film brings the master not only the applause of the public, but also the Oscar. Oscar nominations are also awarded to the drama Tristan, which was released two years earlier. In this film, which is a story of retaliation, Catherine Deneuve played a key role.
What else to see
Listing the most outstanding creations of the director, one cannot fail to mention the Milky Way. Luis Bunuel created this comedy drama co-produced by Italy and France in 1969. The film tells about the life of two tramps who, during their journey, are forced to become participants in strange and even fantastic adventures.
In 1974, the director reminds himself of the audience, releasing the surrealistic film “The Phantom of Liberty”. Luis Bunuel turned this comedy into a series of episodes that seem to be independent, but gradually develop into a single picture. Like the previous works of the master, this film is able to shock unprepared viewers. In this film project, the director makes fun of the hypocrisy of modern society, attacks the army and the church.
Last film
You can not ignore the last picture, which was shot by a genius-surrealist. His last work was the comedy drama "This Vague Object of Desires", presented to the public in 1977. The film tells about how a young beauty captivates an elderly man. The girl likes to play with her victim, to feel her power. It is interesting that two actresses act as a fatal seductress, with the help of this technique the director wanted to show the audience different aspects of one person.
Critics called the last picture of the director bright and cocky, she also impressed the fans of the master. After that, the master did not make a single film, which is associated with his health problems.
Personal life
Luis Bunuel tied the knot in 1934, Frenchwoman Jeanne Rucard became his chosen one. It is known that they met eight years before they got married. Jeanne gave birth to the director of two sons, who were named Juan Luis and Raphael. Sons followed in the footsteps of the famous father, engaged in directing, but could not achieve the same fame.
Memoirs released by Jeanne after the death of the director, allow fans to get acquainted with the unknown facets of the personality of a genius. It turns out that in everyday life he was a real despot and jealous. Bunuel did not allow the second half to work, fearing her intercourse with other men, held the family budget in her hands, aspired to asceticism at home, reluctantly parted with money. Interestingly, the image of a tyrant husband controlling his spouse is present in many paintings by the maestro. Louis also retained the habit of saving money when his family ceased to need it after gaining star status.
Director's death
The famous adherent of surrealism did not become in July 1983, by which time he had already celebrated the 83rd anniversary. It is known that heart failure was the cause of death. The attack happened when the director Bunuel was in Mexico City. In his will, the great Spaniard expressed the wish that his body be cremated, the will of the deceased was carried out by his relatives. Surprisingly, the place of burial of the ashes is still kept secret by the relatives of the director.