Alain Resnais, one of European cinema's most noted auteurs and a founding father of French New Wave, died this weekend at the age of 91 after a long battle with illness.
Alain Resnais was a frequent guest in the Berlinale programme and won a total of three Silver Bears: in 1994 for Smoking/No Smoking, in 1998 for On connaît la chanson (Same Old Song), which was also recognised as an outstanding contribution to modern cinema, and two weeks ago for Aimer, boire et chanter (Life of Riley), his last and most recent work, which was in Competition at the 64th Berlinale.
Aimer, boire et chanter won a Silver Bear, the Alfred Bauer Prize for a feature film that opens new perspectives. Unfortunately Alain Resnais was not able to accept the award in person.
"We mourn a great artist and cinematic innovator, and a radical director who reminded us of the political and human atrocities of the 20th century with works such as Nuit et brouillard (Night and Fog) and Hiroshima, mon amour," said Festival Director Dieter Kosslick.