Director Robert Altman: biography. Best Movies

Robert Altman is a director who went down in history as the most famous author of American author's cinema. Throughout his life, this man in his films laughed at the "factory of dreams," its worn-out stamps and plots. Drama, musical, western - it's hard to name a genre, in the development of which the master did not have time to contribute. What is known about this talented man and the pictures he shot?

Robert Altman: The Biography of a Star

The future director was born in the city of Kansas City, located in the US state of Missouri, it happened in February 1925. Robert Altman is not a descendant of the cinematic dynasty, his parents were an insurance agent and a housewife. The boy was sent to a Catholic school, but he tried to spend less time doing lessons. In his teens, music became one of his main interests, Robert excellently understood modern groups. However, the musician's career was never his goal.

Becoming a graduate of the school, Robert Altman did not know which profession to choose. He received a diploma from the Military Academy of Wentworth, spent some time working as an assistant pilot, he even had a chance to take part in the Second World War. Then the guy entered the University of Missouri, choosing an engineering department, but soon became disillusioned with his studies.

From the writer to the director

Rejecting the decision to become an engineer, Robert Altman moved to sunny California and began writing stories. Of course, the fruits of his creative activity for some time no one was interested, but then luck still smiled at the young man. He got the story "The Bodyguard", whose plot in 1948 served as the basis for the painting of the same name.

Altman, inspired by his first serious achievement, firmly decided to become part of the magical world of cinema. For some time the guy spent as a director of the Calvin Company in Kansas, filming commercials and in practice studying the secrets of the filming process. For the first time, a young man was talked about after the release of his documentary "Offenders", dedicated to juvenile offenders, but then the glory was fleeting. Finally believing in his talent, Robert returned to California.

The film is a breakthrough

Alfred Hitchcock is a man with whom Robert Altman collaborated for some time. The films he shot in those years were intended for the series "Alfred Hitchcock represents." However, the beginning director wanted something more, he dreamed of working independently. The desire of the master came true in 1969, when he presented the drama "MESH" to the public.

The central characters in the picture were doctors who worked in a mobile hospital. Doctors become participants in the Korean war, but the horrors they experience do not make them lose their humanity and stop helping people. The main role played brilliantly already became a star at the time, Donald Sutherland. The picture collected a huge amount at the box office, and its creator acquired a star status.

Best Film Projects

Robert Altman is a director whose films are not intended for a wide audience. Some fall in love with his paintings at first sight, others refuse to view in a few minutes. Western "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" - the first tape with which the maestro demonstrated his reluctance to "play by the rules." The protagonist of the picture is not at all a brave defender of the weak, as people are used to seeing cowboys in a movie. The central character is a scoundrel who creates a brothel in the village, and then perishes because of his own stupidity.

Robert Altman's comedy "Wedding" is also considered a kind of challenge that the director threw the world of Hollywood. The main heroes of the picture are representatives of two different families, whom the wedding of children has brought together. The ceremony turns out to be in jeopardy because of the death of an elderly grandmother. However, the relatives decide to continue the celebration without reporting the death of the old lady.

The film "The Gambler" is another of Althman's mockery of the world of Hollywood. The central character of the tape is a Hollywood producer, who receives threats from a screenwriter whose work he rejected. Fearing for his life, the producer deprives the enemy of life, and then makes every effort to avoid criminal liability. The greatest impression on viewers is produced by a "happy ending".

Death

Altman is a person whom close people have always described as a workaholic who can not rest. It's no wonder that the director literally died on the set. His last work is the tragicomic musical "Companions", this work was completed by the maestro shortly before his death. Robert passed away in November 2006, having celebrated his 80th birthday. As a cause of death of this talented person, doctors called leukemia.

The son of Altman Michael claims that his father was happy throughout his life. After all, he allowed himself to shoot such pictures as he liked, not paying attention to the opinions of others.