Jean Douchet

Jean Douchet (January 19, 1929 – November 22, 2019) was a prominent French film director, critic, historian, and educator whose career flourished during the early years of the French New Wave. Beginning in the 1950s, he contributed to influential publications such as Gazette du Cinéma and Cahiers du cinéma, where he provided critical insights on a wide range of filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock, F. W. Murnau, and Akira Kurosawa.

As a journalist, Douchet played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse around New Wave cinema and was instrumental in bringing Serge Daney on board at Cahiers. His engagement in film extended beyond writing; he made cameo appearances in works by notable directors like Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, and Jacques Rivette.

In addition to his work as a critic and director, Douchet was a dedicated educator at the Institut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques, where he mentored aspiring filmmakers such as François Ozon and Xavier Beauvois. His involvement with the Cinémathèque Française was significant, where he organized screenings and events, including the 2010 documentary "Claude et Éric," which featured an interview with Claude Chabrol reflecting on Éric Rohmer's early contributions.

Jean Douchet's passing on November 22, 2019, at the age of 90, marked the loss of a significant figure in the world of cinema, whose influence spanned multiple generations of filmmakers.