French cinema icon, actor Alain Delon, has died at the age of 88, his three children announced on Sunday August 18 in a joint statement to AFP. “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as (his dog) Loubo, have the immense sorrow to announce the departure of their father. He passed away peacefully in his house in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family. (…) His family asks you to respect his privacy, in this extremely painful time of mourning.“, the press release states. Follow the reactions live.
Sun of the 7th art. A lonely, tormented and controversial sphinx, Alain Delon was a cinematic legend, whose beauty and magnetism fascinated the greatest directors, without being enough to appease his demons. A murderous thug with azure eyes in Full Sun by René Clément, a silent hitman in The Samurai by Jean-Pierre Melville, alcoholic mechanic in Our story by Bertrand Blier… His face, his gaze and his gestures have engraved the film.
“He was a guy who really believed in his cinema.“reacts photographer Jean-Marie Périer. “He spent his life proving that he was something other than handsome and took a lot of risks.”declared photographer Jean-Marie Périer on franceinfo this Sunday after the announcement of the actor’s death.
“Actors with such a personality are very, very rare.”assures Philippe Durand. “He had an exceptional talent, which we forget a little when we see him”explains Philippe Durand, French cinema specialist, on franceinfo. “He aimed for excellence, he wanted to be the best at everything”adds the critic, who points out that if Alain Delon was able to begin his career with renowned directors like René Clément or Luchino Visconti, it is also because they “selected”.