René Féret

René Féret (26 May 1945 – 28 April 2015) was a French actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer. He made several films around an invented family living in northern France, the Gravets, but based on his own life experience. His 1975 drama film, The Story of Paul (Histoire de Paul) won the Prix Jean Vigo, and he became known outside France for his historical dramas such as Mozart's Sister and Anton Tchékhov 1890 (2015).

Early life and education René Féret was born in La Bassée, France in 1945. He was born into a modest family in northern France who ran a small business. He was affected from an early age by the shadow of a brother whose death at the age of four had preceded his birth, called René.

In The Man Who Wasn't There (L'Homme qui n'était pas là), his 1987 film adaption of Roderick MacLeish's novel, he played alongside Claude Jade in the leading role of Charles Elaine.

Very much an independent creator, Féret made several films around an invented family living in northern France, the Gravets, but based on his own life experience. He often used members of his own family in his films. Féret also turned to marginalised individuals in trouble: a man sent to a psychiatric hospital in Histoire de Paul (1975), a hermaphrodite in Mystère Alexina, the elderly in Rue du Retrait (2000) and cancer sufferers in Comme une étoile dans la nuit (2009).

Shown as part of Cinéma en France, Cannes 1993

TV series

Le médecin Telefilm directed by Luc Béraud

TV series documentary (episode: John Fante)

directed by Mohamed Camara

Ambassadeur de France directed by Régis Wargnier

Prof. Davézieux TV series

Xavier de Montherlant TV mini-series

Paul

Pierre Merveille

Short film

Le chef de Marc et Eric (uncredited)

Le professeur de musique Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Original Screenplay

Le directeur du cinéma