Special talk
“Time”
by
Jean-Claude Carrière

Wednesday, 6 March, 18:30 - 19:15

Jean-Claude Carrière, a well known screen-writer, novelist, actor and play-writer, has long been interested in the role of science in society and the interplay between art and science. Through his interest in science he initiated, together with Jean Audouze, the "prix Jules Verne" for science movies. Perhaps best known in the context of science are his works with Jean Audouze and Michel Cassé ("Conversations sur l'invisible" 1988; "L'homme dans ses univers" 2000).

Jean-Claude Carriere was born in 1931 into a family of wine growers in Collombière-sur-Orbe. In his early years he wrote novels under the pseudonym of Benoit Becker, as well as publishing the novel "Le Lezard" (1957) and many to follow under his true name. He started his career in the world of cinema when he wrote a chapter for Jacques Tati's movie "Les vacances de monsieur Hulot”. He adapted some of Tati's movies to novels, and, with Pierre Etaix he started a successful career as screenplay writer for both cinema and television. In 1983 he received the Cesar for best scenario, with his screenplay of "Le retour de Martin Guerre". He had a long working relationship with Luis Bunuel, co-writing many of Bunuel's best known films (e.g. "Belle du Jour", 1967). He has excelled in literature adaptations for the cinema working with Volker Schlöndorff ("The Tin Drum", 1979), Philip Kaufman and Andrzej Wajda, to name but a few. He has also acted in several movies, and led a parallel career as playwriter and adapter for the theater. As a character, Jean-Claude Carrière has been described as in love with humankind, both in its madness as in its wisdom. He absorbs the world around him and is fascinated by all cultures.

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Current as at February 18, 2002