Andre Bazin was born on April 18, 1918, in Angers, France. He quickly developed a passion for cinema and started writing about film at the young age of 25 in 1943. Bazin became known for his revolutionary ideas about cinema, advocating for films that imitated reality rather than distorting it.
During World War II, Bazin worked with Labour and Culture, a militant organization associated with the French Communist party. His experiences during this time period greatly influenced his views on cinema and its societal impact.
In 1951, Bazin co-founded the influential film magazine Cahiers du cinéma. This publication would go on to become a leading voice in the world of cinema, promoting new and innovative ideas about film theory and criticism. Bazin's writing in Cahiers du cinéma helped shape the burgeoning French New Wave movement.
Despite his untimely passing at the age of 40 from leukemia, Bazin's impact on the world of cinema has endured. A collection of his writings on film was published posthumously under the title "What is Cinema?". These writings have since become essential reading in film courses around the English-speaking world.
Bazin's influence extended beyond academia, with filmmakers like Richard Linklater referencing his theories in their work. The 1959 movie "The 400 Blows" was dedicated to Bazin, highlighting the profound impact he had on the film industry.
During World War II, Bazin met Janine Kirsch, a film and TV producer, whom he married in 1949. Together, they had a son named Florent. Despite his busy career in the world of cinema, Bazin always made time for his family and embraced the joys of fatherhood.
Throughout his life, Bazin's faith in Roman Catholicism played a significant role in shaping his worldview. This spiritual influence could be seen in his deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world around him.
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