By Tag Clar Editorial
The world of cinema is mourning one of its greatest figures. Maurice de Hadlen, former director of the Berlin Festival and a pioneer of film festivals in Europe, passed away at the age of 85. He died on Saturday, July 4, in a hospital in Nyon, Switzerland, due to complications from a recent surgery.
Life and Unmatched Career
De Hadlen, who was born in 1940 in England, initially began his career as a documentary filmmaker and photographer. He quickly established himself as a key figure in the film industry through his work on films such as “Le Pele” in 1963 and collaborations with great directors. In 1969, he co-founded the Visions du Réel documentary festival in Nyon with his wife and led it until 1979.
In 1972, de Hadlen took over the leadership of the Locarno Film Festival and helped elevate its international profile with initiatives such as outdoor screenings on the Piazza Grande. In 1979, he moved to Berlin and transformed the Berlin Festival into one of the most important centers of global cinema. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, he seized the opportunity to strengthen the festival's position.
After 21 years in Berlin, de Hadlen went to Venice and worked on modernizing the festival's infrastructure until 2003. He also served on the juries of various international festivals, including Karlovy Vary, Venice, Moscow, and Tehran.
Controversial Incidents
However, not everything in his career was without controversy. In 2018, he sparked strong reactions by writing an article in support of Harvey Weinstein, the controversial Hollywood producer. He considered Weinstein one of the few producers who “truly loved cinema,” and his remarks led to significant backlash. These statements were heavily criticized, with many deeming them inappropriate and indefensible.
The death of Maurice de Hadlen is not only a significant loss for the world of cinema but also a reminder of the importance of film festivals and their impact on culture and art. This great figure is recognized as one of the last influential personalities in this field, and his absence will be profoundly felt.
