Nelly Kaplan, a multifaceted filmmaker and writer born in Buenos Aires in 1931, moved to Paris in 1953 to represent the Argentine film archive. Her career bridged decades of international cinema, moving from early collaborative work under Abel Gance to establishing her own voice as a director, essayist, and producer in France until her death in 2020.
Early Career and Mentorship
Upon arriving in Paris, Kaplan secured an introduction to Henri Langlois, who connected her with filmmaker Abel Gance. She served as Gance’s assistant on the film La tour de Nesle and later collaborated on the 1960 production Austerlitz. During the filming of Cyrano et d'Artagnan in 1964, she directed all second-unit action sequences. Her early contributions extended to technical experimentation, including the triple-screen Magirama project and her published analysis, Le Manifeste d'un art nouveau.
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Beginning in 1961, Kaplan directed a series of art shorts, including analyses of Gustave Moreau, Rudolphe Bresdin, and Victor Hugo. Her feature film debut, A Very Curious Girl, was followed by numerous projects throughout the 1970s and 1980s, such as the 1969 film La Fiancée du pirate and the 1983 documentary Abel Gance et son Napoleon. Her 1966 documentary The Picasso Look, focused on the exhibition of Picasso's work in Paris, achieved international recognition, winning a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Literary Contributions and Collaboration
Beyond her filmography, Kaplan maintained an extensive writing career. In 1965, she published a collection of stories titled Le Réservoir des sens under the pseudonym Belen. She collaborated frequently with Jean Chapot and Claude Makovski on various television scripts, including the successful Les Mouettes. Over a 25-year tenure, she contributed to the cinema section of Le Magazine Littéraire, while also serving on the board of directors for the SACD Cinema Commission.
Honours and Legacy
Kaplan’s professional life was marked by several distinctions, including being named a Knight of the National Order of Merit in 1989, a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1996, an Officer of the National Order of Merit in 2001, and a Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 2005. Following her death in Geneva at age 89, she was buried at La Roquette-sur-Siagne.
Fast facts
- Born: 1931, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Died: 12 November 2020, Geneva
- Education: University of Buenos Aires
- Citizenship: Argentina, France
- Notable Award: Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (2005)
- Burial site: La Roquette-sur-Siagne
- Primary occupations: Filmmaker, screenwriter, writer
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Kaplan focus on in her early shorts?
She directed shorts analyzing the work of artists and writers such as Gustave Moreau, Rudolphe Bresdin, Victor Hugo, and André Masson.
Which film of hers won a Golden Lion?
Her 1967 mid-length feature documentary, Le Regard Picasso, won a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour — 1996
- Officer of the National Order of Merit — 2001
- Knight of the National Order of Merit — 1989
- Worked as writer, filmmaker and film director
