There have always been film-makers who seem to take inspiration from a particular actress, casting them in many of their films. These pairs of director and actress shared an understanding and an admiration that elevated both to new heights. It was an understanding, too, that often went beyond the camera - people often say 'the camera loves her'; in many of these cases it really did.
For a period of time these women were more than stars. They were at their best caught in the eye of these directors...
Lillian Gish - D.W. Griffith
Hideko Takamine - Mikio Naruse
Monica Vitti - Michelangelo Antonioni
Giulietta Masina - Federico Fellini
Liv Ullmann - Ingmar Bergman
Mia Farrow - Woody Allen
Stephane Audran - Claude Chabrol
Anna Karina - Jean-Luc Godard
Bulle Ogier - Jacques Rivette
Maggie Cheung - Wong Kar Wai
Helena Bonham Carter - Tim Burton
Penelope Cruz - Pedro Almodovar
What other actresses were similarly inspiring for a particular director?
Hideko Takamine - Mikio Naruse
Stephane Audran - Claude Chabrol
Bulle Ogier - Jacques Rivette
Hey, Stephen. Very interesting idea for a post, and I like your selections. Here's some others that just popped into mind after reading yours:
ReplyDeleteAlfred Hitchcock/Grace Kelly--despite the fact that the two made few films together, I believe it's indisputable that Hitch was inspired by Kelly.
Interesting that you pick Almodovar/Cruz, as I always think of Carmen Maura as being his muse. Or perhaps, at least his intitial one.
Some others:
Andrzej Zulawski/Sophie Marceau
Walerian Borowczyk/Marina Pierro
Jean Rollin/Brigitte Lahaie
Jess Franco/Soledad Miranda, then Lina Romay
Dario Argento/Daria Nicolodi (this relationship seemingly ran the entire spectrum of emotion)
Louis Feuillade/Musidora
Always enjoy reading your writing, Stephen. Hope all is well and have a great weekend.
"Alfred Hitchcock/Grace Kelly--despite the fact that the two made few films together, I believe it's indisputable that Hitch was inspired by Kelly."
ReplyDeleteAh, absolutely. Originally I wanted to specify that these were partnerships in at least four or five films (I've added that in now) but this is a good choice.
"Interesting that you pick Almodovar/Cruz, as I always think of Carmen Maura as being his muse. Or perhaps, at least his intitial one."
I admit to not having seen more than a couple of Almodovar's older films but, having seen Cruz in his last two films and knowing she appeared in a couple of others, I went with her.
You can have more than one muse of course. Scarlett Johansson almost made the cut as another for Woody Allen but she's only been in three of his films so far and it's debatable whether she is at her best in, or defined by, his films.
I've never known who the actresses are in Argento's films. I should pay more attention(!). Thanks for the other pairings too. Interesting choices.
"Always enjoy reading your writing, Stephen. Hope all is well and have a great weekend."
Thanks very much, Hans. You too.
Ah, thought you'd put Diane Keaton with Woody Allen. =)
ReplyDeleteKelli,
ReplyDeleteI'd actually forgotten about her! I think I would have gone with Mia Farrow anyway though. Woody Allen seems to be the Director most people talk of as having 'muses'.
Awesome round up here, Stephen.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I'd personally take Juliet Berto over Bulle (much as I love her) as far as Rivette goes, though I know the latter appeared in more of his films. Somehow Juliet always struck me as reflecting Rivette's playful, spontaneous spirit a little more. But really that's splitting hairs, they are both amazing.
Love seeing the inclusion of the recently passed Hideko Takamine. I just recently caught up with Floating Clouds for the first time, and she is simply a sublime screen presence. Really looking forward to exploring more of her work with Naruse.
Thanks Drew.
ReplyDelete"I have to say I'd personally take Juliet Berto over Bulle (much as I love her) as far as Rivette goes, though I know the latter appeared in more of his films."
It was the amount of films that swung it (and my personal preference!). Anyway, it's the strength of the association too. When I think of one, I think of the other. I do enjoy watching Juliet Berto too.
"Love seeing the inclusion of the recently passed Hideko Takamine...Really looking forward to exploring more of her work with Naruse."
I've only seen her in two films but she drew me in. I too would like to see more of Naruse's films even though I didn't particularly like the ones I saw (apart from Takamine's performances).
Outside of the director/actor paradigm, there's Fritz Lang and Thea von Harbou.
ReplyDeleteOutside of the man/woman paradigm, there's Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais.
This is a fantastic idea, and the choices are quintessential.
ReplyDeleteAs it is my absolute #1 pairing (even ahead of Bergman/Ullmann) would be:
Ozu/Setsuko Hara
Then there's the celebrated association of Cukor and Hepburn.
I also applaud the special (and timely) mention here of Takamine/Naruse.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of Thea Von Harbou but, reading up quickly on her, her relationship with Fritz Lang was certainly a close and intriguing one.
Yes, I limited myself to actresses because there's something intimate and special about the (male) Director/Actress dynamic in these pairings regardless of whether there was any romance behind the scenes or not.
I suppose De Niro and Scorsese is one of the best known actor/director partnerships.
Thanks Sam.
ReplyDeleteYour pairings are fine choices too. I remembered Hideko Takamine right at the last minute. I'm glad you approve.
It's funny - I've been meaning to write something on this topic for a while. It's really fascinating to see how directors and performers complement each other, and how personal lives factor into that.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad somebody else mentioned Ozu and Hara. How about Todd Haynes and Julianne Moore?
"It's really fascinating to see how directors and performers complement each other, and how personal lives factor into that."
ReplyDeleteYes. It's interesting to what extent films are conceived and changed with an actress in mind.
"How about Todd Haynes and Julianne Moore?"
How many films of his has she been in? (I can think of two but that's it).
I none to add Stephen but appreciate the list and addition. Plus the photographs you have chosen have a special appeal and seem to capture what has been said about "the camera loves them." A great Valentine's Day post. Terrill
ReplyDeleteThank you Terrill.
ReplyDeleteI tried to find images that caught some of the essence of their on-screen personality and charisma.
About Haynes and Moore, they've only collaborated on Safe and Far from Heaven (plus a non-Bob Dylan role in I'm Not There), but there's still a definite muse quality to Moore's place in his films. It's through her that he enacts his revisionist view of '50s melodrama and, I'd argue, they've done some of their best work together.
ReplyDeleteAlong similar lines, how about Frances McDormand and the Coens? She's been married to Joel for approaching 30 years, and starred in 3 of their movies, giving supporting performances in others. Having two directors might be bending the rules, but I think there's at least a comparable muse situation at play.
"It's through her that he enacts his revisionist view of '50s melodrama and, I'd argue, they've done some of their best work together."
ReplyDeleteAha. Yes, if there's a specific inspiration, or the actor/actress is being used as a voice for certain ideas elaborated on over a series of films then she is a sort of muse.
"She's been married to Joel for approaching 30 years, and starred in 3 of their movies, giving supporting performances in others."
That's another good choice, Andreas - especially as it is the Coens' films that I associate her with. I didn't know she was married to one of them, but I generally steer clear of the stories played out behind the scenes.
I've meandered into this post a little late, but nevertheless its a grand post, Stephen, one that sparks off one's own ideas/ thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOff the top of my head I can think of:
Rainer Werner Fassfinder/ Hanna Schygulla (or Margit Carstensen, as well)
Mike Leigh/ Alison Steadman
Manoel de Oliviera/ Leonora Silveira
Kenji Mizoguchi/ Kinuyo Tanaka
Good choices. I think Mike Leigh and Alison Steadman is a particularly great example. I just looked her up and I had no idea that they used to be married.
ReplyDeleteI saw Leonora Silveira in Oliveira's Abraham Valley recently. I didn't know they were a frequent partnership.
Thanks.
Heck, I didn't know Mike Leigh and Alison Steadman used to be married.
ReplyDeleteAnd did I really write down "Fassfinder"? Ha! Brilliant!
"Heck, I didn't know Mike Leigh and Alison Steadman used to be married."
ReplyDeleteHaha!
"And did I really write down "Fassfinder"?"
I honestly didn't notice(!)
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. I'm not able to think of many pairs outside of this list, except Cassavetes/Rowlands, Bartas/Golubeva. But then, if you aren't looking just for male director - female actor pairs, there are also examples such as Tsai/Lee, Weerasethakul/Kaewbuadee, Scorsese/De Niro etc.
Cheers!
Thank you JAFB!
ReplyDeleteI was just flicking through Tsai Ming Liang's THE HOLE. You're quite right. Scorsese seems to have replaced De Niro with Di Caprio.
what about ingrid bergman and rossellini?
ReplyDeletecheers from mx!
Yes. You're quite right Gabriel. It's another example too of the professional/personal connection.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
May I say something trivial? Jean-Luc Godard had really a taste. Anna Karina were one of the most beautiful women on the planet. And she still is.
ReplyDelete"May I say something trivial?"
ReplyDeleteOf course! Yes, she was attractive and charismatic too. You've just inspired me to look for a recent photo of Anna. I hadn't seen any image of her later than the 1960s.