PARIS (AP) — Alain Corneau, the French filmmaker who leapt to international notice with the 1991 hit "Tous les Matins du Monde," a period drama about 17th-century musicians, has died, his talent agency said. He was 67.
Artmedia agency said Monday that Corneau, who was suffering from cancer, died overnight.
Throughout a career lasting more than 35 years, Corneau directed many legends of French cinema, including Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu.
Depardieu starred alongside his son Guillaume in "Tous les Matins du Monde" ("All the Mornings of the World"). The film, which depicted the uneasy relationship between a young and elderly musician in 17th-century France, won considerable critical acclaim at home and abroad.
It garnered seven Cesar awards, the French equivalent of the Academy Awards, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for best foreign film.
The office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy hailed Corneau as a "courageous man" and a "great director."
Through his films, "Corneau pursued an unceasing investigation into what makes humans human," Sarkozy's office said in a statement.
Born on Aug. 7, 1943, Corneau dabbled in music before making his start in cinema as an assistant for Greek-born filmmaker Costa-Gavras. Early on in his career, he made a series of thrillers, including "Choice of Arms," a 1981 gangster flick starring Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu and Yves Montand.
An avid follower of literature, Corneau adapted seven of his 16 films from novels. In 2003 he adapted Amelie Nothomb's "Stupeur et Tremblements" ("Fear and Trembling"), which starred actress Sylvie Testud as a foreigner struggling with strict workplace codes in Japan. She won the Cesar award for best actress.
Corneau's latest movie, "Love Crime," starring Kristin Scott Thomas, opened in France in mid-August.
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
'The Artist' Triumphs at the BAFTAs
Stars Share Heartfelt Whitney Houston Memories
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Latest Jason Wu Collection Shows Chinese Roots
ShowBiz Minute: Madonna, Beresford-Redman, Pawsc
Stars Show Support at AMFAR Charity Gala
BCBG Kicks Off NY Fashion Week
The Muppets Are Oscars Bound!
ShowBiz Minute: House, Perry/Brand, Grammys
Hearts Are Pumping for the Ladies in Red
Androgynous Model Walks Runway As Man and Woman
ShowBiz Minute: Super Bowl, Taylor, Adele
Dench: 'I'm Not Going to Retire.'
