Maurice Pialat

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Maurice Pialat

Role / Field:

French filmmaker known for his rigorous, unsentimental, and psychologically deep narratives.

Born:

1925-08-31

Died:

2003-01-11

Century / Era:

1925s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Maurice Pialat (French: [pjala]; 31 August 1925 – 11 January 2003) was a French film director, screenwriter and actor known for the rigorous and unsentimental style of his films. His work is often described as "realist", though many film critics acknowledge it does not fit the traditional definition of realism. Pialat's films are said to have dispensed with mannerisms, and his everyday stories tell the bittersweet nature of the French petite bourgeoisie. This earned him the disregard of some critics, but also enduring popularity, with films characterized by a psychological narrative style, often set outside the metropolises.

Key Developments & Impact

Pialat was born in Cunlhat, Puy-de-Dôme, France. He originally intended to become a painter, but met with little success. Having acquired a camera at age 16, he tried his hand at documentary films before making his first notable short, L'amour existe, in 1960. Pialat came to filmmaking late. He directed his feature-length debut, 1969's L'enfance nue (The Naked Childhood) at age 43.

Enduring Legacy

The film, which was co-produced by French New Wave director François Truffaut, won the Prix Jean Vigo. During his 35-year career, Pialat completed ten major features...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1925 (1925-08-31): Birth of Maurice Pialat — French filmmaker known for his rigorous, unsentimental, and psychologically deep narratives.
2. 1960: 1960 Milestone — Having acquired a camera at age 16, he tried his hand at documentary films before making his first notable short, L'amour existe, in 1960.
3. 1969: 1969 Milestone — He directed his feature-length debut, 1969's L'enfance nue (The Naked Childhood) at age 43.
4. 2003 (2003-01-11): Passing & Historical Legacy — Maurice Pialat passed away on 2003-01-11, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Maurice Pialat

True or False: “Maurice Pialat's films are universally classified by critics as fitting the traditional definition of literary realism.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While his stories depict the everyday life of the petite bourgeoisie, critics often note that his style deviates from the traditional definition of realism.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Bandura — Contemporary (Born in 1925) (1925): Pioneering psychologist known for Social Cognitive Theory and self-efficacy.
• Alexander Shulgin — Contemporary (Born in 1925) (1925): Pioneering biochemist known for synthesizing and exploring over 200 psychoactive compounds.
• Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo — Contemporary (Born in 1925) (1925): Prominent South African politician and long-serving ANC leader.
• Alberto Sordi — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Althea Gibson — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Pioneering American tennis and golf star who broke racial barriers in sports.
• Anita Mui — Contemporary (Died in 2003) (2003): Iconic 'Queen of Cantopop' singer and actress from Hong Kong.
• Ada Yonath — Shared historical date (08-31 · Died) (2026): Pioneering crystallographer known for elucidating the structure and function of the ribosome.
• Adolphe Pégoud — Shared historical date (08-31 · Died) (1915): Pioneering French aviator and the first recorded fighter ace of World War I.
• Aaron Swartz — Shared historical date (01-11 · Died) (2013): Pioneering programmer, activist, and hacktivist known for RSS, Markdown, and progressive organizing.
• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Shared historical date (01-11 · Born) (1907): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
• 1925 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1925
• August 31 (08-31) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 31
• 2003 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2003
• January 11 (01-11) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 11

Frequently Asked Questions about Maurice Pialat