Canadian director Norman Jewison, known for his film “In the Heat of the Night”, has died at the age of 97

During his career, he established himself as one of Hollywood’s most eclectic filmmakers.

World cinema is in mourning. Canadian director Norman Jewison, author of an eclectic filmography in Hollywood, which notably includes the films In the heat of the Night And Jesus Christ Superstar, died Saturday January 20 at the age of 97. The filmmaker is “died peacefully”according to a press release from his agent Jeff Sanderson, who announces that ceremonies in his honor will take place “later in Los Angeles and Toronto”.

After starting out on Canadian television, Norman Jewison established himself during his career as one of Hollywood’s most eclectic filmmakers. His numerous films have notably earned him three nominations for the Academy Award for Best Director. Political satire for The Russians are coming (1966), heist film with Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), musical comedy with A Fiddler on the Roof (1971), his work ventures into very diverse genres.

Twelve Oscar wins

But in the United States, his legacy remains above all that of a filmmaker interested in social issues. Thanks in particular to the mark left by In the heat of the Night, which won five Academy Awards in 1967, including Best Picture. The legend Sidney Poitier, Hollywood’s first black star, plays a Philadelphia police officer accused of murder in Mississippi, who must lead the investigation with the local white sheriff while dealing with the racism of the residents.

Under the trappings of a simple detective film, the filmmaker tackles In the heat of the Night American racial tensions, founding fracture of the United States. Norman Jewison’s films have garnered a total of 46 Oscar nominations and won 12 times. Enough to allow pop singer Cher to win the Oscar for best actress, for her romance with Nicolas Cage in Moonlight (1987).