Director

Robert Bresson

1901 – 1999

Who they are

Born: 25 September 1901, Bromont-Lamothe, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne, France
Died: 18 December 1999
Known for: Diary of a Country Priest, A Man Escaped, Pickpocket

Robert Bresson (1901–1999) was a French director celebrated for an austere, minimalist style. He used non-professional actors, elliptical storytelling and very little music to explore spiritual and moral themes. Often ranked among cinema's greatest filmmakers, he shaped generations of directors and critics worldwide.

Where to start

Diary of a Country Priest (1951)Full guide
Marked the full arrival of his spare, spiritual style, adapted from Bernanos's novel.
A Man Escaped (1956)Log in to add it to the library
A precise prison-escape drama that won him Best Director at Cannes and is often seen as his masterpiece.
Pickpocket (1959)In the library
A stripped-down study of a thief's guilt and redemption, central to his reputation.
Au Hasard Balthazar (1966)Full guide
Follows a donkey through harsh human lives, a landmark of spiritual cinema.
L'Argent (1983)Full guide
His final film, a bleak chain of consequences set off by a forged note; won Cannes Best Director.

Their films in the library

Awards

1951 Venice Film Festival: International Prize for Diary of a Country Priest
1957 Cannes Film Festival: Best Director for A Man Escaped
1962 Cannes Film Festival: Special Jury Prize for The Trial of Joan of Arc
1983 Cannes Film Festival: Best Director for L'Argent (shared)
1989 Venice Film Festival: Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement

The full list · 22

1934Les Affaires publiquesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1943Angels of SinLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1945Les Dames du bois de BoulogneLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1951Diary of a Country PriestLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1956A Man EscapedLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1959PickpocketLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1963The Trial of Joan of ArcLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1965Bresson: Without a TraceLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self - Interviewee
1966Au Hasard BalthazarLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1966Un metteur en ordre: Robert BressonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1967MouchetteLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1967Au Hasard BressonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1967Festivals 66 Cinéma 67Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1969A Gentle WomanLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1972Four Nights of a DreamerLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1974Lancelot of the LakeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1977The Devil, ProbablyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1983L'ArgentLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1984The Road to BressonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2005Mag Bodard, un destinLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (archive footage)
2013What Is Cinema?Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2021Morceaux de CannesLog in to add it to the libraryActor

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.