Louis Feuillade
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Notes
First president of the Societe des Auteurs de Films (1917-18).
Biography
Prolific early director of over 700 films and a key artistic influence in the years after his death on many important filmmakers. Feuillade began his career with Gaumont where, as well as directing his own features, he was appointed artistic director in charge of production in 1907. Feuillade's work was largely comprised of film series; his first, begun in 1910 and numbering 15 episodes, was "Le Film Esthetique," a financially unsuccessful attempt at "high-brow" cinema. More popular was "Life As It Is" (1911-1913), which moved from the costume pageantry of his earlier work to a more realistic, if somewhat melodramatic, depiction of contemporary life.
Feuillade's most successful serials were "Fantomas" (1913-1914), which chronicled the diabolical exploits of the "emperor of crime," and the superb "Les Vampires" (1915-1916), which trailed a criminal gang led by Irma Vep (Musidora), and was noted for its imaginative use of locations and lyrical, almost surreal style.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Director (Short)
Writer (Short)
Life Events
1891
Served in cavalry for four years
1898
Moved to Paris and worked as an accountant in publishing house
1903
Became a journalist and founded satrical journal, "La Tomate"
1904
Wrote for monarchist periodical, "Soleil" and for "Revue Mondiale"
1906
First film as writer with "Attrapez mon Chapeau"
1906
First as director with "Le Billet de Banque"
1907
Made production chief/artistic director at Gaumont
1915
Served four months in French Army; invalided out
1916
Moved to Nice where Gaumont studio was built in 1916
Companions
Bibliography
Notes
First president of the Societe des Auteurs de Films (1917-18).